tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126899641601422932024-03-16T03:09:05.606-04:00jackandcokewithalimeReal Commentary on the Real World..jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.comBlogger3461500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-4311817618990225322011-05-04T07:52:00.001-04:002011-05-04T07:53:48.122-04:00Ontario's Hatred for Dalton McGuinty Drove The Federal Liberal Massacre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GfXNsAk4ERvus7Ev7QrlpXg0i3kZ7zucu4o7smVZj0PEBWN3b85HW5pBX-VhC5QbB_Vmo376M2-6-FHGDUR_ckQn3IQ-_O62TtDZPaxLlBnb6Mb9t35LpFTHjakDNjDe9kcEY8N31sv0/s1600/OntarioCanadaFlags_by_lothlaurien_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GfXNsAk4ERvus7Ev7QrlpXg0i3kZ7zucu4o7smVZj0PEBWN3b85HW5pBX-VhC5QbB_Vmo376M2-6-FHGDUR_ckQn3IQ-_O62TtDZPaxLlBnb6Mb9t35LpFTHjakDNjDe9kcEY8N31sv0/s640/OntarioCanadaFlags_by_lothlaurien_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If the Federal Liberals are shaking their heads wondering how they could have suffered such a monumental defeat in this 2011 Federal Election (especially here in Ontario), they need look no further for the reason why than their Provincial cousins and Ontario Liberal Leader, Premier Dalton McGuinty.<br />
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With McGuinty's catastrophic failures as the Ontario Premier over his past 2 terms in office (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/list-of-ontario-liberal-premier-dalton.html" target="_blank">List of Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty's Scandals with Details...</a>), and his tax, spend and waste policy of disastrous mismanagement, Ontarians are severely fed-up, and are salivating at the mouth at their upcoming opportunity to completely obliterate McGuinty and his Provincial Liberals and send them packing in the October Ontario Provincial Election.<br />
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Unfortunately for Ignatieff and his Federal Liberal comrades, they felt the wrath of the pent-up anger Ontarians have for Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal Party. Poor Ignatieff was just a victim in what was meant to be yet another symbol in the grassroots campaign of vengeance brewing in Ontario against Dalton McGuinty.<br />
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It started with the victory for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in Toronto over McGuinty Liberal Loyalist, George Smitherman, a key figure in McGuinty's record of failure in Ontario. And the movement has been tearing through Ontario leaving the Federal Liberals as wreckage in it's trail. It's now focused on it's key target and it will leave the Liberals both in Ontario and in Canada questioning their party's entire purpose, philosophy, mandate and leadership.<br />
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The Liberals have grown out of touch with Canadians and Ontarians, and voters have proven that they recognize it. And they will continue to prove it in this 2010 decade of change and remediation.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lothlaurien/3775422491/sizes/z/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/lothlaurien/3775422491/sizes/z/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lothlaurien/" target="_blank">lothlaurien</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-11195664293140064912011-05-02T23:54:00.003-04:002011-05-04T07:56:09.563-04:00Canada's Harper Conservative Majority a Victory for Taxpayers!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MtyhZ1gC7c37L_VyT8GHyhPvQ8_qDJ85ptaVQ0oC3K5zNGuHVgF-ulauK6s6Tr9bkfhLfilt8J3HJJIY693Z5vpGZbgahe7uzFgyZrimOdsomaEGNGNXwcWjqz3fv7RRhTGAe9-fs4r9/s1600/CanadaFlag_by_abdallah_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MtyhZ1gC7c37L_VyT8GHyhPvQ8_qDJ85ptaVQ0oC3K5zNGuHVgF-ulauK6s6Tr9bkfhLfilt8J3HJJIY693Z5vpGZbgahe7uzFgyZrimOdsomaEGNGNXwcWjqz3fv7RRhTGAe9-fs4r9/s640/CanadaFlag_by_abdallah_on_flickr.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Last night Canadians chose to support the Taxpayers in this 2011 Canadian Federal Election, voting Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada a Majority Government!<br />
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NDP Leader Jack "the John" Layton made a huge surge as the polls had predicted, bringing a scary new reality to Canadian Politics where the super-left welfare state supporters are seriously on the rise. Luckily the Conservatives came through with the Majority and will protect the Taxpayers and the Canadian economy for at least another 4 years.<br />
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Good for you Canada!<br />
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With Super Mayor Rob Ford in office in Toronto, and now Stephen Harper as the majority-backed Prime Minister of Canada, all that remains to complete the "Taxpayer Trinity" is the flushing of Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty down the toilet and the electing of Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak as our next Premier. Once that final piece of the puzzle is complete, taxpayers can finally breathe a much deserved and far belated sigh of relief.<br />
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Congratulations Canada, and Congratulations to all of the Taxpayers in Canada! You deserved this! Take that money you're going to save and go grab yourself a much deserved Jack and Coke with lime!<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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PS: The Liberals are finished in Canada! Ignatieff lost in his own riding! Classic! ;)<br />
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McGuinty, you're next...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/husseinabdallah/2310315395/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/husseinabdallah/2310315395/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/husseinabdallah/" target="_blank">husseinabdallah</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-7132230656338035072011-04-21T17:48:00.001-04:002011-04-21T17:48:42.691-04:00Has Premier Dalton McGuinty Been "Asleep At The Wheel" for 8 Years?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGooaUti9RoG1BsvyNwhHTnQsHp1cPpAFGe3QL4unn7VM8VFt2HmTPcQzD4B50ezHKA97ZG-IO1nBf1kUSdk4vPpPoSLBB1q5PaNfatm8DhbjuTal0dw7tKJhNUD6aGXMw7XMgnxePANP/s1600/DaltonMcGuinty_by_NPetten_on_flickr_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGooaUti9RoG1BsvyNwhHTnQsHp1cPpAFGe3QL4unn7VM8VFt2HmTPcQzD4B50ezHKA97ZG-IO1nBf1kUSdk4vPpPoSLBB1q5PaNfatm8DhbjuTal0dw7tKJhNUD6aGXMw7XMgnxePANP/s640/DaltonMcGuinty_by_NPetten_on_flickr_cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
In what must be the absolute worst year for Ontario Liberal Premier, Dalton McGuinty, Premier "Deadbeat" Dad is doing everything he can to try and appear -again- like he actually cares about Ontarians, and he's out there fighting the good fight on our behalf. He's hoping that Ontarians will conveniently forget that he's done absolutely nothing to help us over his entire 8 years as our Premier, except raise our taxes, fees, and pretty much the cost of everything we need in order to survive, and he's back to his old tricks going to the press and shamefully making statements and gestures that are intended to have Ontarians believe that he is still working in our best interest.<br />
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McGuinty's latest sad attempts to show that he's looking out for Ontarians involve the Canadian Federal Election. I still remember years back when McGuinty was riding on the mantra of a "$23 Billion gap" between what Ontarians give the Feds, and what we get in return (see <a href="http://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2005/05/remarks-by-dalton-mcguinty-premier-of-ontario-on-meeting-with-the-prime-minister.html" target="_blank">Ontario.ca: Remarks By Dalton McGuinty, Premier Of Ontario On Meeting With The Prime Minister</a>)... He impassioned Ontarians with the resonating cold facts that we are a crutch for this country, and yet we get minimal support back. He said it was time to fight for Ontario and to get our fair share, and he was the leader to make it happen. Yet, here we are, years later, still no better off than when we elected and reelected him... McGuinty's latest cries to the Feds are of the same tune, just with different lyrics. Back then it was the "$23 Billion gap", this year it's "40% of the Federal Government's money comes from Ontario" (see: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/968640--mcguinty-demands-energy-fairness-for-ontario-from-ottawa" target="_blank">Toronto Star: McGuinty demands energy fairness for Ontario from Ottawa</a>). Again, same tune, just different lyrics...<br />
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So to me, I question what he's done to narrow this gap over his 8 years in office? It's one thing to question it and raise it as an election issue, but it's another thing to actually follow through on your promises and do something about it. Unfortunately with Dalton McGuinty, this is a common theme. He barks about something that is unfair during the Election, but once he's in office, he does nothing about it. Then here we are, years later at the next Election, and guess what, that topic comes right up yet again from McGuinty...<br />
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Today, McGuinty came out and said that Ontario should have more control over which Immigrants come into this province (see <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/04/21/province-seeks-say-on-immigrants" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Province seeks say on immigrants</a>). He questions why Ontario gets only 16% of economic class immigrants, while the provincial average is 25%. I don't disagree with his question, but my question for Dalton McGuinty is, why are you asking about this now? Where has this question been for the past 8 years that you've been Ontario's leader? Why, all of a sudden, is this now an issue? <br />
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A week back, Dalton released a statement to Ontario hospitals stating that they shouldn't destroy their internal documents in attempts to hide eHealth and OLG type scandals (see <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/977998--don-t-shred-documents-mcguinty-tells-hospitals" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Don’t shred documents, McGuinty tells hospitals</a>). My question for Premier McGuinty is, how is this not an official policy, and why is this something that you have to "request" of the hospitals? And again, why is this something that you are finally addressing only now after 8 years that you've been in office? What have you been doing for 8 years?<br />
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A week and a half ago, Dalton urged Ontario Hospitals to reign in bloated pay packages for Hospital Executives (see <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Curb+generous+execs+McGuinty+urges+hospitals/4602893/story.html" target="_blank">Ottawa Citizen: Curb generous pay for top execs, McGuinty urges hospitals</a>), something Ontarians have been screaming about for years, yet, here we are, 8 years after Premier McGuinty took office, and only now is he looking to curb the generous pay packages of these under-worked and overpaid, golf-paying, consultant-hiring, expense policy-exploiting, Hospital Execs?<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, Dalton was caught up yet again in another expenses scandal, this time where he was the culprit, hiding his own expenses under other staffers' names (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/04/premier-dalton-mcguinty-plays-ontarians.html" target="_blank">Premier Dalton McGuinty Plays Ontarians For Fools With Expense Trickery</a>). He later responded to this finding by saying that going forward, he would declare his own expenses under his own name. Now, one would assume that that would be a basic principle that an ethical person in power would follow, but I guess that's not the case with our Premier. And yet again, I ask the question of Premier McGuinty, why after 8 years in office do you suddenly now decide that you're going to be ethical with your expenses and their declaration to the public? <br />
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A few weeks back, Dalton suddenly decided to take up the fight for energy funding support from the Feds, highlighting the proposed Lower Churchill hydro project for Newfoundland and Labrador, and asking where's the funding for Ontario (see: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/968640--mcguinty-demands-energy-fairness-for-ontario-from-ottawa" target="_blank">Toronto Star: McGuinty demands energy fairness for Ontario from Ottawa</a>). With the skyrocketing energy rates in Ontario caused primarily by McGuinty's lax energy policies and failed green energy experiments, one would think that he would have been fighting for energy funding for Ontario for years, yet only now, 8 years after being in office, is he suddenly looking out for Ontario?<br />
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I could literally go on and on with countless examples, but over and over the same thing rings true, why has it taken Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty 8 years to realize that these are legitimate concerns and issues that needed to be addressed? Why haven't these issues been resolved yet? Why is he only looking into this now? He's had 8 years!!<br />
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The only answer Ontarians can come up with for why he's done nothing about these issues after all of this time, is simply that Dalton McGuinty has been asleep at the wheel for the past 8 years. And unfortunately for Ontarians, we're the ones who've been paying the price for it, both figuratively, and literally...<br />
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Ontario is desperately in need of a change... We need someone who makes things happen now. Someone who doesn't <em>appear</em> to come around after a decade of uselessness and inaction. We need someone who is a proactive leader, not a passive one. We need a strong leader, not a weak one. We need an ethical leader, not a corrupt one.<br />
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In October, Ontarians, it's time to show Premier "Deadbeat" Dad, the door, and take back our Ontario.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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PS: The one thing that I can say that Dalton McGuinty has been on top of over the past 8 years, is taxes and fees!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/npetten/3610810337/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/npetten/3610810337/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/npetten/" target="_blank">NPetten</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-63172578144321230492011-04-13T16:13:00.000-04:002011-04-13T16:13:29.107-04:00Federal Debate #1: Harper Impressed; Duceppe an Embarrassing Clown...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8GFKUKkai_WaSc2BqFdWeSA4Gjl_VLYZbC8hG-GhkxT8BKy3K9Yoj-XyhV_z2gCDWjPp8JM_OtHeYZtSRSF0FkGWVTQ-9hIvxql1DxUojKg2PisMjYMTw2Z1WbiLMCR0SAPRiQz1O_ul/s1600/CanadaFederalElection2011Debate_via_screenshots_from_Votes2011_on_YouTube.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="532" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8GFKUKkai_WaSc2BqFdWeSA4Gjl_VLYZbC8hG-GhkxT8BKy3K9Yoj-XyhV_z2gCDWjPp8JM_OtHeYZtSRSF0FkGWVTQ-9hIvxql1DxUojKg2PisMjYMTw2Z1WbiLMCR0SAPRiQz1O_ul/s640/CanadaFederalElection2011Debate_via_screenshots_from_Votes2011_on_YouTube.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Last night's Canadian Federal Election Debate #1 was quite literally the "Stephen Harper Show", as he completely out-classed, out-smarted, and so easily manhandled his shamefully inferior opponents, that it was like watching NHL phenom Sidney Crosby take some time out to play ice hockey with the Tim Horton's Timbits kids -no offence, Timbits! (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTmUBATgNSE&feature=related" target="_blank">Sidney Crosby - Timbits Hockey Commercial [2009]</a>). <br />
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Though some people may complain that the debate was an utter bore, I didn't find it boring at all. I actually quite enjoyed watching the various party leaders go toe-to-toe. It's so easy for politicians to spew their rhetoric to the press when their opponents aren't there to respond, but when they're placed next to each other with no handlers between them to whisper in their ears, this is when you really see the strength, knowledge and abilities of our leaders.<br />
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It was pretty obvious that Prime Minister Harper came out the winner in this debate, even though the various Liberal news organizations out there will try to avoid that topic entirely (you know who you are, you <em>stars</em>, you...). And in a surprising finish for 2nd place, it was NDP Leader Jack Layton, who at times attacked both Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. And while Stephen Harper was easily able to defend himself against Layton's mostly nonsensical accusations, Ignatieff was often left stuttering, bumbling and pretty much speechless, apparently in shock at the supposed betrayal by Layton. Now that was entertainment!<br />
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But, the highlight of the night had to be Bloc Québécois Leader, Gilles Duceppe, who was almost comical in his irrelevance... He was like a sad French clown who tried so desperately to be taken seriously, but kept having cream pies thrown in his face and having his nose honked. I have to commend Stephen Harper for keeping a straight face every time Duceppe spoke, because it was like Duceppe was in his own world, completely ignoring the questions that were posed, and reading off questions and accusations from his prepared cue cards that had nothing to do with the topic at hand. A couple of times Harper just had no idea what the hell Duceppe was talking about, but still in the most cordial and diplomatic way, tried to respond. I'm sure that many viewers like me who watched this Duceppe train-wreck, couldn't help but cringe every time he spoke... What a disastrous embarrassment Duceppe is for the Bloc and for Quebeckers overall.<br />
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After this debate, I wonder how any self-respecting Québécois could vote for such a bumbling idiot, and I question how he can not be seen as the laughing stock of all of Quebec, especially the Bloc... If any Quebeckers watched last night's debate, you can be sure they're votes have switched from the Bloc to the NDP.<br />
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If you'd like to watch the debate for yourself, the video can be found at:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/leaders-debate/#" target="_blank">Canada Votes 2011 - Leaders' Debate - On Demand</a><br />
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And you tell me, how many damn times do we need to hear from Jack Layton that he's married to a person that wasn't born here in Canada (Olivia Chow)?? Seriously, this guy brings that up in every single sentence. Dude, we've been hearing that from you for years. Have some respect for your wife and try not exploiting her for once! It's like he married her just for political gain!<br />
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But at the end of the night, Prime Minister Harper really did impress. For every single accusation that was thrown his way, he dismissed it as inaccurate and untrue, and then backed up his point with facts about how it was untrue. The opposition leaders couldn't even dispute his retorts, often just repeating their nonsensical rhetoric. At one point Ignatieff just gave up and went back to his useless mantra of "Jails, Jets and Corporate Tax Cuts", like, "well you did this", Ignatieff would say, Harper would respond, "well this is just not true, and this is why", and then Ignatieff would come back with, "well, all you're about is Jails, Jets and Corporate Tax Cuts...". It was almost disgraceful to watch. Isn't this guy suppose to be a <em>Harvard Academic</em>? Yet he couldn't even make one valid argument?<br />
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Again, the debate was very entertaining, and I urge each of you to watch it. I know I've been more focused on our local Ontario Provincial Election, and the absolutely critical need for Ontarians to dispose of our Godfather of Scandal, Premier Dalton McGuinty, but this debate was just something that I didn't want to miss, and I'm glad I didn't.<br />
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What are your thoughts on the debate? Do you agree, or disagree? I'm sure the readers would love to know.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UioReyyeqO8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UioReyyeqO8</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/votes2011" target="_blank">Votes2011</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-54972216111982584012011-04-12T17:09:00.000-04:002011-04-12T17:09:21.718-04:00OECD Study: Canada Ranks #4 for Most Work Hrs per Day, USA #9, Mexico #1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiQVQfJGqVx3egx-KMfyMLhBGmpdfavj3QKM-JK_-CcLIfdtVemmFAoh8MhtOFqXYsoy4LAiHbn5oynkshHgTdlh_K-jP_T1C4TS_ZejcszZsblm1KSto_IZA06lHooVf3hXnvJ0MR9o0/s1600/OECD-TotalWorkingHoursPerDay_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiQVQfJGqVx3egx-KMfyMLhBGmpdfavj3QKM-JK_-CcLIfdtVemmFAoh8MhtOFqXYsoy4LAiHbn5oynkshHgTdlh_K-jP_T1C4TS_ZejcszZsblm1KSto_IZA06lHooVf3hXnvJ0MR9o0/s640/OECD-TotalWorkingHoursPerDay_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
A new study released by the <a href="http://www.oecd.org/pages/0,3417,en_36734052_36734103_1_1_1_1_1,00.html" target="_blank">Organisation for Economic Co-operaton and Development (OECD)</a> which involves the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, The United Kingdom, and The United States, shows that Canada ranks 4th overall in the OECD for Total Paid and Unpaid Hours worked per day at 8.62 daily hours. The study shows that Mexico has the highest total hours worked per day with 9.91, Japan is in 2nd with 9.01, and the United States is 9th overall with 8.27.<br />
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Here's the story from the OECD website:<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.oecd.org/document/60/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_47567356_1_1_1_1,00.html" target="_blank">OECD: Who’s busiest: working hours and household chores across OECD</a><br />
<blockquote>Mexicans work longer days than anyone else in OECD countries, devoting 10 hours to paid and unpaid work, such as cleaning or cooking at home. Belgians work the least, at 7 hours, compared with an OECD average of 8 hours a day.<br />
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A special chapter in the report looks at unpaid work, such as cooking, cleaning, caring, and shopping, in 26 OECD countries, as well as China, India and South Africa.<br />
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Most unpaid work is housework. Mexicans do the most, at more than 3 hours per day, and Koreans the least, at 1 hour and 19 minutes. Much of this time is spent cooking. Americans spend the least time cooking each day (30 minutes) and Turks the most in the OECD (74 minutes). Most people spend around 50 minutes a day cooking.<br />
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Shopping also makes up a big part of unpaid work. Most people in OECD countries spend 23 minutes a day shopping, with the French spending the most (32 minutes) and the Koreans the least (13 minutes).</blockquote><br />
I took the liberty of pulling the data provided in the report into 3 tables. The first which ranks the Countries by Total Paid and Unpaid Hours of Work per Day. The second which ranks Countries by Total Paid Hours of Work per Day (the REAL ranking if you ask me, though Canada actually did worse in that one). And third which ranks the Countries by Total Unpaid Hours of Work per Day.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u>Countries Ranked by Total Paid and Unpaid Hours of Work per Day</u></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaaALIIva1ujt2MhEa4LVqdhgd6LS1jELt_tN_Dr25d8Nju_Xl-FXiFVvz88IMLuVjuEg2p8PzDWQCVgX9xmGc2tRevCpFieoHRFtRUj2coOnG3lQolHZhk88cdWwOsVDXPqgfFLsUTBY/s1600/OECD-TotalWorkingHoursPerDayTable_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaaALIIva1ujt2MhEa4LVqdhgd6LS1jELt_tN_Dr25d8Nju_Xl-FXiFVvz88IMLuVjuEg2p8PzDWQCVgX9xmGc2tRevCpFieoHRFtRUj2coOnG3lQolHZhk88cdWwOsVDXPqgfFLsUTBY/s640/OECD-TotalWorkingHoursPerDayTable_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" width="404" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u>Countries Ranked by Total Paid Hours of Work per Day</u></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WVQrTuINkawrkTknfvlFydT0RFCc7K6nEi5ygKKvNebDiCQQHk4SzwWfaywuv48rAa_3q-Qtfgs0Yo21dXrYJ69p1CEvZXCFrHq7_o1oRvmuBjkbZgznKvUdozQaFBVAIkX-pCyBgmfM/s1600/OECD-PaidWorkingHoursPerDay_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WVQrTuINkawrkTknfvlFydT0RFCc7K6nEi5ygKKvNebDiCQQHk4SzwWfaywuv48rAa_3q-Qtfgs0Yo21dXrYJ69p1CEvZXCFrHq7_o1oRvmuBjkbZgznKvUdozQaFBVAIkX-pCyBgmfM/s640/OECD-PaidWorkingHoursPerDay_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" width="257" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u>Countries Ranked by Total Unpaid Hours of Work per Day</u></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97JOPHQ1yunxy4vz_Nq13Q0GolXd0Io7Hj7awoJatOuq4yB4pw1oVH6tQlfopbYzrUyXe5xz-GF5R6-kFbzCrKzWgiCk6_ROb6EwXz0bGb0SZeL0Wc9xcrCCpLHExXlQWAOOV-WrN1pJV/s1600/OECD-UnPaidWorkingHoursPerDay_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97JOPHQ1yunxy4vz_Nq13Q0GolXd0Io7Hj7awoJatOuq4yB4pw1oVH6tQlfopbYzrUyXe5xz-GF5R6-kFbzCrKzWgiCk6_ROb6EwXz0bGb0SZeL0Wc9xcrCCpLHExXlQWAOOV-WrN1pJV/s640/OECD-UnPaidWorkingHoursPerDay_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />
After doing some digging in the actual text of the report, I found the following qualification about these numbers that must be noted when reviewing the results:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/displaydocumentpdf/?cote=DELSA/ELSA/WD/SEM%282011%291&doclanguage=en">OECD SOCIAL, EMPLOYMENT AND MIGRATION WORKING PAPERS</a><br />
<blockquote>While the average daily paid working time seems low at first sight, it should be borne in mind that these figures cover weekdays and weekend days, as well as holiday periods, and include<br />
both employed and non-employed individuals.</blockquote>So, if you're wondering -like I was- why the numbers appear to be so low, then this hopefully should clear that up for you. And if you want to get technical, taking a typical Canadian work day of 8 hours per day, multiplying that by 5 work days per week, and then dividing that by 7 days (to include the weekend), you end up with 8 hours x 5 days = 40 hours / 7 days = 5.71 paid work hours per day (which when compared to the noted 5.34 in the study, is pretty close to bang on, especially if you include the unemployed which would cause the 5.71 number to drop). <br />
<br />
Now, if you want to get <i>really</i> technical, and talk about our Public Sector Unionized Workers, then we're talking about 2 hours of paid <i>true</i> work per day, so 2 hours x 5 days = 10 hours / 7 days = 1.4 paid work hours per day! Relax Unionites, I'm just kidding........no I'm not. ;)<br />
<br />
Also, for those of you who are wondering what exactly "Unpaid" work is supposed to be defined as, here is the definition as noted in the above-mentioned document:<br />
<blockquote><b>Defining unpaid work</b> </blockquote><blockquote>Unpaid work is the production of goods and services by household members that are not sold on the market. Some unpaid work is for the consumption within the family, such as cooking, gardening and house cleaning. The products of unpaid work may also be consumed by people not living in the household, e.g. cooking a meal for visiting friends, helping in a soup kitchen for homeless people, mowing the lawn of an elderly relative, or coaching the local football team. </blockquote><blockquote>The boundary between unpaid work and leisure is determined by the so-called “third-person”<br />
criterion. If a third person could hypothetically be paid to do the activity, it is considered to be work. Cooking, cleaning, child care, laundry, walking the dog and gardening are therefore all examples of unpaid work. On the other hand, someone else cannot be paid to watch a movie, play tennis, or silently read a book on another’s behalf as the benefits of the activity would accrue to the doer (the third person), and not to the hirer (Ironmonger, 1996). These activities are therefore considered as leisure. </blockquote><blockquote>Some unpaid work, e.g. playing with children, walking the dog, cooking or tending a garden, is<br />
often enjoyable, depending on the state of mind and other time pressures (see Society at a Glance 2009 on reported enjoyment of various activities). The satisfaction from the activity is a benefit that cannot be transferred to another person. Similarly, many people derive a great deal of personal satisfaction from paid work and enjoy their time spent in their job. Thus the level of enjoyment of the person doing the activity cannot be used as a criterion to distinguish between work and leisure (Hill, 1979).</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Images:<br />
Derived from OECD Study: <a href="http://www.oecd.org/document/60/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_47567356_1_1_1_1,00.html" target="_blank">OECD: Who's busiest: working hours and household chores across OECD</a><br />
Data pulled from Study's Embedded Excel Document at: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/888932381456" target="_blank">Download the underlying data in Excel</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-24070364376770323882011-04-12T00:47:00.004-04:002011-04-12T00:57:19.241-04:00Finance Minister Duncan Patronizes Ontarians with Gasoline Tax Rhetoric<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6uOjOzPex_JuHLUTKKpE021ut7znH7ZdTQ-PLAaN9Hm6HWgs9p2rWSvxT9O77CrsGzAsjxKgsCvEKnYOWk-yZ865aYwNMfAz3b5pILD-F_64jbJ8NUHKXCKSKPAQw3rZXyu9iViRq6SS/s1600/TorontoGasPrice129.5_by_MSVG_on_flickr_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6uOjOzPex_JuHLUTKKpE021ut7znH7ZdTQ-PLAaN9Hm6HWgs9p2rWSvxT9O77CrsGzAsjxKgsCvEKnYOWk-yZ865aYwNMfAz3b5pILD-F_64jbJ8NUHKXCKSKPAQw3rZXyu9iViRq6SS/s640/TorontoGasPrice129.5_by_MSVG_on_flickr_cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
With Gas Prices skyrocketing in Ontario, you would think that an Ontario Government that has become famous for scandal, boondoggle and waste, would have some kind of sympathy and compassion for the struggling Ontario families who can't even afford to pay for the skyrocketing electricity costs for their homes, let alone the massive taxes that are applied on Gasoline.<br />
<br />
But, if you ask Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan about it, he'll tell you that the taxes that Ontario has applied on Gasoline, actually protect Ontarians from...higher gas prices! Can you believe it? How could we Ontarians have been so stupid? I mean, it's not like gas prices have been skyrocketing non-stop over the past 8 years that Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty has been in power, not-to-mention during the tenure of our incompetent and moronic Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, who is the antithesis of fiscal prudence.<br />
<br />
No, that hasn't been happening... (What's that symbol for sarcasm again?) No, we've been "protected" by the non-stop tax bombardment from our useless Ontario Liberal Government who as a result of scandal-after-scandal-after-scandal, need to tax Ontarians to death in order to make up for their consistent squandering of precious taxpayer dollars.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/972946--duncan-warns-cutting-taxes-on-gasoline-would-just-let-oil-companies-raise-prices?bn=1" target="_blank">Duncan warns cutting taxes on gasoline would just let oil companies raise prices</a><br />
<blockquote>Ontario's opposition parties hope to make an election issue out of rising gasoline prices, but the Liberals say they won't cut gas taxes.<br />
<br />
A study from CIBC World Markets warns the near 25 per cent hike in gas prices since late 2010 will cost Canadians an extra $12 billion at the pumps this year.<br />
<br />
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak won't make any specific promises, but says he's looking to give people a break and will consider options such as removing the HST from gasoline.<br />
<br />
Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says removing the HST or reducing the 14.7 cents a litre flat provincial tax would only make room for the oil companies to raise prices.<br />
<br />
Duncan also says the province's revenues from gasoline drop when prices rise because consumption also drops with higher prices.</blockquote><br />
Yet, with McGuinty's and Duncan's golden HST, an additional 8% was added on to Gas Prices in Ontario, so really, when Gas prices go up, the Government does indeed collect higher revenues, not-to-mention that it is common knowledge that people don't drive just for fun anymore -this isn't the 60s! They drive out of necessity, so even with higher prices, that doesn't change the fact that parents still need to drive to work, and they still need to drive their kids to school, and to the doctor, and to hockey and soccer practice. Regardless of what Minister Duncan thinks/says, when Gas prices go up, the Ontario Liberal Government has more money to <i>scandal</i> into their, and their Liberal friends' pockets... <br />
<br />
And last I checked, Gas Prices have been skyrocketing regardless of the "price-saving taxes" that the McGuinty/Duncan tag-team have inflicted on Ontarians relentlessly. Doing a quick check on <a href="http://www.ontariogasprices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx" target="_blank">OntarioGasPrices.com - Historical Gas Prices</a>, the price of gas back in 2006 on this date (April 11th) was approximately $0.85, while today on April 11th 2011, the price of gas is approximately $1.29. Great job controlling the gas prices with taxes, Finance Minister Duncan!!<br />
<br />
Is our Minister of "Finance" <em>really</em> Dwight Duncan? I mean, can we really have such a <em>moron</em> in a position of such importance?? Actually, that would explain a lot when noting that after our latest Ontario Budget released recently, it was revealed that Ontarians pay over $10 Billion per year in deficit interest payments alone. $10 BILLION DOLLARS!!! That's the definition of taxdollar waste! WE GET NOTHING IN RETURN FOR THIS ANNUAL $10 BILLION DOLLARS!!<br />
<br />
This is the gift that Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty and his idiot Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will be leaving for Ontarians when they are tossed in the trash come the October election.<br />
<br />
What a nightmare we live in here in Ontario. What a nightmare of leaders we have with this incompetent, corrupt and unforgivingly-useless Liberal Government.<br />
<br />
October 6th, 2011 just can't come quickly enough.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/msvg/5599699110/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/msvg/5599699110/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/msvg/" target="_blank">MSVG</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-46192771604132090402011-04-11T23:00:00.003-04:002011-04-11T23:09:45.388-04:00Premier Dalton McGuinty Plays Ontarians For Fools With Expense Trickery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjTNTc4YxsGEQdRD6V8mZ0m4gRpfmi1Amj5SBN9THmFzIBEGrwuJDttQIhKS4iJ0flp4zkVGzDADGOn2hb2sIWs5W57r2YjmgTbAKEXRqtxMeO9ucoRHWmP1uqbf9Fx5mgu0iGZJDEhPC/s1600/GodfatherPremierMcGuinty_by_jackandcokewithalime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjTNTc4YxsGEQdRD6V8mZ0m4gRpfmi1Amj5SBN9THmFzIBEGrwuJDttQIhKS4iJ0flp4zkVGzDADGOn2hb2sIWs5W57r2YjmgTbAKEXRqtxMeO9ucoRHWmP1uqbf9Fx5mgu0iGZJDEhPC/s640/GodfatherPremierMcGuinty_by_jackandcokewithalime.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The Godfather of Scandal, Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty, has been caught yet again with his pants down trying to fool Ontarians, this time in regards to his own expenses.<br />
<br />
In a time in Ontario where every penny matters more to the taxpayer than ever before, politicians of all ilk are trying to show that they are "Rob Ford-esque" in fiscal prudence, watching every penny and ensuring that Ontarians' hard-earned taxdollars are not being wasted.<br />
<br />
With this in mind, and knowing that an Ontario Provincial Election is quickly up-coming, Dalton McGuinty went out of his way in a scumbag move to hide his exorbitant travel expenses under the names of his staff, and then published on the Ontario Government website (see <a href="http://www.ontario.ca/en/expense_claim/index.htm" target="_blank">Ontario.ca - Travel and Hospitality Expense Totals for the Individual</a>) that he had accrued exactly $0 in expenses.<br />
<br />
Luckily for Ontarians, the leader of the Opposition, Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, isn't asleep at the wheel and immediately called out McGuinty on his lack of expense reporting/publishing, citing his lavish trip to Israel for example, where McGuinty flew first class for $6,227, and stayed in a $500-a-night hotel racking up $2,035 for a 4-nights stay. And this was just one example out of countless others where Dalton McGuinty was partying it up on the Ontario taxpayers' dime; yet, upon review of the Ontario government's official website where all travel expenses are supposed to be published, there is nothing reported under Dalton McGuinty's name.<br />
<br />
Caught completely off-guard by this revelation by Tim Hudak during question period, later in the afternoon, McGuinty's office responded releasing a statement that, “moving forward, for the premier, they’re going to start posting them (the expenses) under his name.”<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/973149--mcguinty-alters-the-way-he-reports-expenses?bn=1" target="_blank">McGuinty alters the way he reports expenses</a><br />
<blockquote>Premier Dalton McGuinty will now report his travel expenses under his own name — not his staff — after the Progressive Conservatives accused him of trying to “weasel out” of revealing them openly. <br />
<br />
The government’s online list of expenses shows none under McGuinty’s name despite trips to a premier’s conference in Manitoba and overseas trade missions like one to Israel last year, Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said Monday.<br />
<br />
“The premier said that he would post expenses according to who incurred them, not try to hide them somewhere else,” Hudak added, questioning whether the premier had “suddenly learned to fly” to avoid reporting airfares.<br />
<br />
“They look like they’re trying to weasel out of their own legislation.”<br />
<br />
By late afternoon, the premier’s office announced that “moving forward, for the premier, they’re doing to start posting them (the expenses) under his name.”<br />
<br />
That will include almost $10,000 for last May’s trade mission to Israel, including $6,227 in executive class airfare and four nights in a Tel Aviv hotel for $2,035.<br />
<br />
McGuinty’s trip to Manitoba for a premier’s conference last summer was listed under the name of his executive assistant Tracey Sobers, including airfare of $1,874.87 for the premier and his wife, Terri.<br />
<br />
But an ordinary citizen looking for McGuinty’s expenses would have no idea under which other names to look and that is hardly in keeping with the spirit of the law, said Hudak.<br />
<br />
He quoted McGuinty as saying two years ago the point of the rule was “to shine a light on all expenses so Ontarians will know who exactly is spending what exactly” in the wake of expense scandals at eHealth Ontario and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.<br />
<br />
The reporting of the premier’s expenses is reminiscent of problems the Liberal government has had trying to boost transparency on the “sunshine list” of public servants earning over $100,000.</blockquote><br />
Isn't it sad how now after 8 years as Premier, suddenly with a crucial election coming, Dalton McGuinty has finally decided that he is no longer going to lie to Ontarians about his expenses, and be fully transparent?<br />
<br />
And don't be fooled Ontarians, this is not just a small oversight by Premier McGuinty (though there have been a suspiciously large number of those that have occurred during his reign as Godfath...er...Premier). McGuinty is famous for hiding the bloated fatcat salaries and expenses of his buddy Ministers & staff under other agencies in order to trick Ontarians and hide the truth of their wasteful profiteering. The latest example of this was the hiding of disgraced former Deputy Health Minister Ron Sapsford's $700,000 payday that he received after he quit amidst the eHealth Billion Dollar Scandal which he was partly responsible for (see <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2011/04/05/17887811.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Outrageous!: Blizzard</a>), where McGuinty hid his $700K reward (??) under the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, instead of properly reporting it under the Minister's salary in the sunshine list.<br />
<br />
Disgusting, disgraceful, dishonest and just simply dirty. This is what Ontario's Godfather Premier has become known for. This is what Ontario has now become famous for. Scandal, corruption and waste, and the sucker taxpayers who stick their heads in the sand and pretend it isn't happening...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image:<br />
</span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robin24/5034100202/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #99aadd; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.flickr.com/photos/robin24/5034100202/sizes/l/</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robin24/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #99aadd; font-size: xx-small;">Robin_24</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> on flickr</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #99aadd; font-size: xx-small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> by </span><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank"><span style="color: #99aadd; font-size: xx-small;">Joshua Sherurcij</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> on Wikipedia<br />
Compilation of the above images and title artwork created by jackandcokewithalime.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-54793790258302225172011-04-10T09:39:00.000-04:002011-04-10T09:39:29.239-04:00Mayor Ford's Success Validated by Toronto Parasite Unions' Self-Pity Rally!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenUz3TmJnTa_FouSp68N4J0rqpeo7emzQYfjgYpgeotTiiO9uLegX7kacs_FZRMBRQ87d0sWQ0WKWyAr7ytEXyAScvECjA4BuobJ6GNc-gOc35PzCHtnacbY4qJKsgdlFIFrhcjtivkng/s1600/UntitledSculpture_in_Toronto_by_ShaunMerritt_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenUz3TmJnTa_FouSp68N4J0rqpeo7emzQYfjgYpgeotTiiO9uLegX7kacs_FZRMBRQ87d0sWQ0WKWyAr7ytEXyAScvECjA4BuobJ6GNc-gOc35PzCHtnacbY4qJKsgdlFIFrhcjtivkng/s640/UntitledSculpture_in_Toronto_by_ShaunMerritt_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Yesterday, the various Public Sector Unions in Toronto and Ontario, pulled together a group of barely 10,000 supporters and marched around Toronto from Dundas Square to City Hall, bitching and crying that their gravy train is coming to an end. They appropriately dubbed this self-pity-fest, an "Anti-Ford Rally".<br />
<br />
And while local parasite Councillors like Adam Vaughan, Joe Mihevc, Shelley Carroll and newcomer Mary Fragedakis tried to spin this as something Mayor Rob Ford and his supporters should be concerned about, in truth, this demonstration only validated to the majority of Torontonians that Mayor Rob Ford is perfectly on track and fulfilling the mandate on which he was elected. And unfortunately for these deadbeat Toronto leeches, Toronto's taxpayers back him 100%.<br />
<br />
Toronto's parasites, namely the "jobs-for-life" blackmail-artist good-for-nothing expect-high-pay-for-minimal-menial-output Public Sector Unions, paraded around pretending that the majority of Torontonians in voting in Rob Ford as Mayor, didn't have a clear expectation that he would bring these Unions back to reality and bring Municipal Taxes and User Fees paid for by the taxpayers back to a reasonable level that was long lost under the David Miller / Adam Vaughan regime. And while they tried to make their battle appear to have merit by fear-mongering illegitimately on <i>true</i> taxpayer-sensitive issues like service cuts (incorrectly citing the cut TTC routes which had no passengers and were a waste of taxpayer money), and future increased user fees (with the key word being 'future', as there hasn't been any official mention from Rob Ford of any increase in user fees, in fact he fought victoriously to prevent an increase in TTC fares, and also successfully eliminated the Personal Vehicle Tax, one of the largest annual 'user fees' on Torontonians), their campaign of manipulation was only successful in getting them some much needed exercise. ;)<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/04/09/17935296.html" target="_blank">Anti-Ford rally jams Dundas Square</a><br />
<blockquote>Protesters took over Dundas Square Saturday where even the whisper of Rob Ford’s name was followed by catcalls.<br />
<br />
Flags of labour groups and unions were waved as protest organizers estimated about 10,000 people were taking part in the “Rally for Respect.”<br />
<br />
The demonstrators called on Ford to stop cutting social programs and public services, slashing public transit, selling off public housing, privatizing garbage collection, and raising recreation user fees.<br />
<br />
“Sure (Ford) was elected the mayor, but he wasn’t elected the czar of Ontario and he’s acting like that,” said Sid Ryan, Ontario Federation of Labour president.<br />
<br />
“Essentially (we’re saying) slow down, have some public debate, allow some public input, work with councillors, and let’s come to a consensual approach in terms of how this city is managed.”<br />
<br />
If Ford doesn’t react to the rally, protesters are hoping that the city’s councillors will.<br />
<br />
“If (Ford) doesn’t hear then council hears it,” said Toronto councillor Joe Mihevc.</blockquote><br />
What these useless and sponging parasites apparently don't realize is that Rob Ford was elected for this exact reason, to remove these bloodsucking leeches off of the drowning taxpayers veins. And there was countless public debate on the issue, and it was called a year-long Municipal Election Campaign where Rob Ford debated the likes of taxdollar-wasting scumbags like George Smitherman, Joe Pantalone and Sarah Thomson.<br />
<br />
All that this rally is representing is a group of sore-losers who are in for a reality check that's been a long time coming.<br />
<br />
Thank goodness for Mayor Rob Ford. Finally, a politician who cares about the taxpayers, who can't be corrupted by the parasitic public sector unions and their minions, and who actually follows through on his promises. <br />
<br />
What a refreshing change.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/3607637910/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/3607637910/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-76202491080026585112011-04-09T08:48:00.003-04:002011-04-09T08:51:32.312-04:00PC Leader Tim Hudak to Scrap Ontario Vehicle Emissions Test If Elected!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbWhDGUqBNjzRV2XSA7_ywicBAmm3dzdXBxCL7nVEX4VLbI792Hmn_DklopGp2gxSd3RiTIwGOsYb8w_RsTB_Mg2hc4mJtbVKoo8E9UaEY8O2tZdaifkBL8JSrPkEzV9o6MpH4LzOC1UI/s1600/Tim_Hudak_by_NuclearWarfare_on_Wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbWhDGUqBNjzRV2XSA7_ywicBAmm3dzdXBxCL7nVEX4VLbI792Hmn_DklopGp2gxSd3RiTIwGOsYb8w_RsTB_Mg2hc4mJtbVKoo8E9UaEY8O2tZdaifkBL8JSrPkEzV9o6MpH4LzOC1UI/s640/Tim_Hudak_by_NuclearWarfare_on_Wikipedia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Tim Hudak, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader, promised to phase out the flawed <a href="http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/air/driveclean/" target="_blank">Ontario Drive Clean</a> Emissions Test requirement, if he is elected the next Premier of Ontario!!<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/04/07/17914176.html" target="_blank">Hudak says Drive Clean tests outlived usefulness</a><br />
<blockquote>Drive Clean is getting overhauled.<br />
<br />
Cars and light trucks would not require a Drive Clean test until they were seven years old instead of the current five years, Environment Minister John Wilkinson announced Thursday.<br />
<br />
But PC Leader Tim Hudak said the program has outlived its usefulness and he would scrap it entirely.<br />
<br />
Drive Clean, introduced under the Mike Harris government in 1999, was meant to encourage car companies to improve emissions standards.<br />
<br />
Technology has now improved to the point where the program is redundant, Hudak said.<br />
<br />
“Instead of picking an arbitrary number out of the air like seven years, let’s put a plan in place to phase out the program altogether,” he said. “It’s achieved its purpose, but now it’s time to move it off into the sunset.”<br />
<br />
Hudak said his 2003 Chevy Avalanche passed Drive Clean with flying colours recently and yet he’ll have to purchase the test again in two years, a typical experience for most Ontario drivers.<br />
<br />
The Drive Clean test costs a maximum of $35, but car owners can be required to spend up to $450 on repairs if the vehicle flunks.</blockquote><br />
The Ontario Drive Clean Emissions Tests have been riddled in scandal and controversy over the past years, as they've been proven, firstly, to be completely unreliable in detecting emissions issues with vehicles.<br />
<br />
SOURCE: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario%27s_Drive_Clean#Test_accuracy" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Ontario's Drive Clean - Test Accuracy</a><br />
<blockquote>Drive Clean's emissions test results have been shown to be unreliable in surveys carried out by the media such as in-depth work done by the Hamilton Spectator, The Fraser Institute, and consumer advocacy groups such as the Automobile Protection Association. In APA surveys, it was shown that the same car can have extremely variable results in test results (up to 800 percent in one survey), even at the same garage or on the same day with no work being carried out on the car. (APA). In 2004, the Ontario Auditor General reported on myriad cases of fraud within the Drive Clean program, such as test facilities (garages) that, for a fee, would test a clean car and report those results instead. Other test facilities would fail a well-tuned car to generate additional work. For these reasons and others, consumer reports suggest drivers try another garage if their car fails a Drive Clean test, before proceeding with expensive repairs.</blockquote><br />
Second, the Drive Clean Emissions program has also been proven to have had "little <i>real</i> impact" on the reduction of air pollution in Ontario, especially after 2004 (it's originally intended end-date).<br />
<br />
SOURCE: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario%27s_Drive_Clean#Impacts_on_air_pollution" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Ontario's Drive Clean - Impacts on Air Pollution</a><br />
<blockquote>Drive Clean has had little real impact on air pollution in Ontario. 2005 was Toronto's worst year on record for smog with a total of 48 smog alert days. The Ontario Medical Association estimated in 2005 that total air pollution (from all sources) would cause some 5,800 deaths and 17,000 hospital admissions that year. It also estimated that the direct health care costs of air pollution in Ontario were about $507 million, and the total economic cost of air pollution to be about $7.8 billion. <br />
<br />
In late 2004, Norm Sterling, who served as the Environment Minister in Progressive Conservative premier Mike Harris's cabinet, stated that Drive Clean had already had its greatest impact on air pollution and had served its purpose. Mr. Sterling is often referred to as the founder of Drive Clean. Drive Clean can only address a small fraction of the total automobile emissions problem, because all internal combustion vehicles burn fuels which ultimately pollute the air (including most so-called "alternative" fuels). <br />
<br />
Greenpeace co-founder Robert Hunter (journalist) wrote in 1999 that Drive Clean "has turned out to be an agonizing bureaucratic nightmare that hits drivers with what is basically another tax and a huge hassle, while accomplishing -- in Environmental Commissioner Eva Ligeti's assessment -- 'minimal benefits.'"</blockquote><br />
Tim Hudak, a refreshing change from scandal-plagued and completely out-of-touch Dalton McGuinty, is finally an Ontario Leader that understands the struggle of Ontario families.<br />
<br />
In addition to abolishing the punishing and no longer necessary Ontario Drive Clean Emissions test, Hudak also promises to unplug McGuinty's so-called "Smart Meters", he's raised possibilities of reducing the HST, and in ending McGuinty's Green Energy Experiments and reducing his Government's consistent boondoggle, waste, and severely bloated bureaucracy, he will reduce taxes and save Ontarians money.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Hudak.jpg" target="_blank">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Hudak.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:NuclearWarfare" target="_blank">NuclearWarfare</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-44556448086631884552011-04-07T08:07:00.003-04:002011-04-07T08:13:58.146-04:00Ontario Teachers Cry Poor, Yet They Have Money To Burn?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRTIdZrxp7xPmXHZ1Kue2HR2gy8DDKlSMy3ox4zDs7MRz0fvaRT7IgTgLXAOctoUdr4XugTHFwH8Ios4-6nzV6mU89V8dhcDsqVFIm_ssQUoJz3P3OWrBMniq1Cp-d7nf_a3IGaopf5XL/s1600/TorontoSchool_by_jbcurio_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRTIdZrxp7xPmXHZ1Kue2HR2gy8DDKlSMy3ox4zDs7MRz0fvaRT7IgTgLXAOctoUdr4XugTHFwH8Ios4-6nzV6mU89V8dhcDsqVFIm_ssQUoJz3P3OWrBMniq1Cp-d7nf_a3IGaopf5XL/s640/TorontoSchool_by_jbcurio_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's one thing to threaten strikes every time their contracts are coming up for expiration, crying that they are severely underpaid and their benefits/pensions are lacking; but it is a complete other to later have the ability to come up with millions of dollars apparently from thin-air (as they are supposed to be struggling, right?) in order to use it for political influencing, money that though it may be coming from the teachers, it originated from you and I, the taxpayers.<br />
<br />
The Ontario Catholic Teachers Union (OECTA - Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association) in a disgusting and eye-opening move have announced that they will be collecting monies from all teachers ($3 Million minimum) in order to use it to launch an advertising campaign aimed at preventing the Ontario Progressive Conservatives from winning this year's Provincial election, and stopping the removal of the worst Premier Ontario has ever had, Dalton McGuinty, from office. <br />
<br />
For a group of so-called underpaid and under-appreciated workers who constantly threaten strikes over lack of compensation, having these extra funds available to be used in such a frivolous way that has nothing to do with "teaching" only shows one thing, that the teachers are so severely overpaid that they've got money to burn.<br />
<br />
I mean, just the fact that the person they are looking to sabotage, Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak, was himself born from parents who are teachers, and whose sister is a teacher, and who has big plans to help teachers, for some reason is irrelevant to these apparently bloated fatcats who claim to be doing this "for the children", only goes to prove that the next time the teachers come to the bargaining table looking for sympathy from the taxpayers, all we need to do is remind them of all of the extra cash that they seem to be able to come up with with ease any time they feel like it. To me, and to millions of struggling Ontario taxpayers who don't have the same luxury, this is simply evidence that shows that teachers don't need more funding, they simply need more accountability, and maybe need some financial advisement.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/04/06/17900786.html" target="_blank">Catholic teachers target Tories</a><br />
<blockquote>A $3-million election war chest paid for by Ontario’s Catholic teachers has left the provincial Tories feeling outgunned.<br />
<br />
Tory MPP Lisa MacLeod said the political action campaign fund set up by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) will put PCs at a severe spending disadvantage during the upcoming fall campaign. <br />
<br />
“We’re looking at about $3 million which will go towards ads to defeat Tim Hudak, myself, other PC candidates,” MacLeod said. “And there’s no opportunity for my supporters or any teacher who doesn’t agree with this tactic to opt out. And I think that’s unfair.”<br />
<br />
OECTA President James Ryan said that a portion of the money will be used on a province-wide billboard campaign — “Who Speaks For Children” — to ensure that the investments made in education during the last eight years continue past October’s fall election.<br />
<br />
Each member of OECTA will be required to pay an extra $60 in union fees to fund the campaign, but dues will return to regular levels the following year, Ryan said.<br />
<br />
Hudak said he’s getting calls and e-mails from teachers who are upset that they’re being forced to spend money on what they view as a political exercise to get the Ontario Liberals re-elected.<br />
<br />
Hudak has three family members who worked in the Catholic school system — his father was a principal, his mother was a special needs teacher and his sister is a secondary school teacher.<br />
<br />
“The importance of supporting teachers in the class and classroom education is something that I grew up with talking around the kitchen table almost each and every day,” he said. “You’ll see that reflected in the PC platform and I encourage individual teachers to see where we want to go with education. I think they’ll be impressed.”</blockquote><br />
I used to have a soft spot for teachers, as I was one of the people who truly understood their value to our society, and I always felt that if anyone deserved to receive improved compensation, it was the teachers. But after this latest eye-opening travesty, that has all changed. If the teachers have money to burn, then they shouldn't be reaching into my pockets for more. I can't even pay my Fuel costs and Hydro bills, let alone put money towards politically influencing tactics. I, unlike the teachers, don't have that luxury, and I'm betting that the majority of Ontarians don't either.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Am I wrong, Ontario teachers? I'm dying to believe that I am... Prove it to me and to Ontarians by forcing your Union Leaders to stop these illegal politically influencing tactics, which are costing you money that you <em>supposedly</em> don't have. Otherwise, if you do nothing, then you've only confirmed our suspicions, and you better then realize that Ontarians have seen this, we understand this, and we will recall this in all future considerations in regards to Ontario teachers.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/3956182084/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/3956182084/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/" target="_blank">jbcurio</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-35233695232549520442011-03-31T23:37:00.000-04:002011-03-31T23:37:40.372-04:002011 Ontario Sunshine List in Excel! Courtesy of jackandcokewithalime...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKbQN3c9rWvcFxyYJF7Es5eSC3g7Z4A3gcMdnLQhct_HHz3jEywKYs8qMGaMNa4QF_xZVgcc9RCCaj-y-jJtMQpQ_aN1qZZFnCjGRyp-jntF0APudtP2RZB_creHwzSIrvyfGwAm35bZp/s1600/OntarioSunshineList2011Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKbQN3c9rWvcFxyYJF7Es5eSC3g7Z4A3gcMdnLQhct_HHz3jEywKYs8qMGaMNa4QF_xZVgcc9RCCaj-y-jJtMQpQ_aN1qZZFnCjGRyp-jntF0APudtP2RZB_creHwzSIrvyfGwAm35bZp/s640/OntarioSunshineList2011Screenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The 2011 Ontario Sunshine List (the list of Ontario Public Sector Employees who made $100,000 or more in 2010) came out today and is available for everyone to review. If you're looking for the official Ontario Government website link for the list, visit: <a href="http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2011/" target="_blank">Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2011 (Disclosure for 2010)</a>.<br />
<br />
I took the liberty of pulling the 2011 Sunshine List into a Microsoft Excel file so that you can go ahead and <em>slice and dice</em> the data to your heart's content. <br />
<br />
Here's the link to download the Excel version of the list, courtesy of yours truly, jackandcokewithalime: <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/uc?id=0BxTGWrHnmGQvMDRjNWMwZmEtN2Q3MS00MmQyLTkyMTUtNDAxNTkyMjA3MTcy&export=download&authkey=CNX6ltAG&hl=en" target="_blank">OntarioSunshineList2011.xls</a> (9.9 MB - Hosted on GoogleDocs)<br />
<br />
Enjoy!!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime</div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-47063597178791863682011-03-31T13:46:00.002-04:002011-03-31T23:47:07.115-04:00The 2011 Ontario Sunshine List is Out! Here's The Link...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIAgheNuwrlsK7tiwlyW9ZGiTpOS9nDoMy5qta_FRhkKjzJT5KTCWzvWb9BU7lJB3zi2MutfVFFLH-O3PmvV_p2onW1zJY-HczQrAeVG-z-Az2hoZc8AZeLRplSk6ZXfY4a4qo_YNN8K8/s1600/CanadianCash_by_duckiemonster_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIAgheNuwrlsK7tiwlyW9ZGiTpOS9nDoMy5qta_FRhkKjzJT5KTCWzvWb9BU7lJB3zi2MutfVFFLH-O3PmvV_p2onW1zJY-HczQrAeVG-z-Az2hoZc8AZeLRplSk6ZXfY4a4qo_YNN8K8/s640/CanadianCash_by_duckiemonster_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The 2011 Ontario Public Salary Disclosure (for 2010) is finally out!!!<br />
<br />
Here's the link in case you are interested:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2011/" target="_blank">Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2011 (Disclosure for 2010)</a><br />
<br />
I plan to review it in-depth and will comment on it at a later time. But in the meantime, enjoy!!<br />
<br />
Also, in case you're interested, I took the liberty of pulling the 2011 Ontario Sunshine list into a Microsoft Excel file so that you can have fun slicing and dicing the data. You can find the link to this Excel file at the following page: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011-ontario-sunshine-list-in-excel.html" target="_blank">2011 Ontario Sunshine List in Excel! Courtesy of jackandcokewithalime...</a>.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: If you would like to compare this year's sunshine list to last year's sunshine list, please see the following page: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/2010-ontario-sunshine-list-is-out-heres.html" target="_blank">The 2010 Ontario Sunshine List is Out! Here's The Link...</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image:</span></i><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duckiemonster/2219220078/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.flickr.com/photos/duckiemonster/2219220078/sizes/l/</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> by </span></i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duckiemonster/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">duckiemonster</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> on flickr</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</span></i></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-72339701846762959312011-03-29T00:18:00.004-04:002011-03-29T00:27:16.124-04:00Canada Defeats USA in Average Penis Size! Though, Both Lose To The World...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGD5B7YSzNjExaXBtI7Tpl3_cZbYxQ166Mq-imc6p3diJv9NQYeeBBdNYQEFBrMPAevPhKrCAyOdcNLdOdrgm6K-cGosU11p4sEXfRZULNQ0-fDfLZTObN3_igFsYFmNOQkOV9FZVL5jN/s1600/WorldPenisSize_by_onionSlayer_on_TargetMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGD5B7YSzNjExaXBtI7Tpl3_cZbYxQ166Mq-imc6p3diJv9NQYeeBBdNYQEFBrMPAevPhKrCAyOdcNLdOdrgm6K-cGosU11p4sEXfRZULNQ0-fDfLZTObN3_igFsYFmNOQkOV9FZVL5jN/s640/WorldPenisSize_by_onionSlayer_on_TargetMap.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Yes, yes, I went there... ;)<br />
<br />
Though Canadian men have an Average Erect Penis Size that is of longer length than American men (5.5 inches for Canadian men versus 5.1 inches for American men), overall, both Canada and the United States did pretty embarrassingly in a survey/study of Average Penis Sizes around the world (with Canada landing in 76th place overall, and the United States landing in 98th).<br />
<br />
Here's a list of the results:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://everyoneweb.com/worldpenissize/" target="_blank">Average Size Database - World Penis Size</a><br />
<br />
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #cccccc;"><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>#</b></td><td style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>COUNTRY</b></td><td style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>AVG. PENIS SIZE (Inches)</b></td><td style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>COMMENT</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>1</b></td><td>Democratic Republic of the Congo</td><td style="text-align: center;">7.1</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>2</b></td><td>Ecuador </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>3</b></td><td>Republic of the Congo</td><td style="text-align: center;">6.8</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>4</b></td><td>Ghana </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.8</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>5</b></td><td>Colombia </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.7</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>6</b></td><td>Venezuela </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.7</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>7</b></td><td>Lebanon </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.6</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>8</b></td><td>Bolivia </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>9</b></td><td>Cameroon </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.5</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>10</b></td><td>Hungary </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.5</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>11</b></td><td>Jamaica </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.4</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>12</b></td><td>Panama </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.4</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>13</b></td><td>Sudan </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.4</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>14</b></td><td>Brazil </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>15</b></td><td>Haiti </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>16</b></td><td>Senegal </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>17</b></td><td>Benin </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>18</b></td><td>Czech Republic </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>19</b></td><td>France </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>20</b></td><td>Peru </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>21</b></td><td>Puerto Rico</td><td style="text-align: center;">6.3</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>22</b></td><td>Cuba </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>23</b></td><td>Egypt </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>24</b></td><td>Gambia, The </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>25</b></td><td>The Netherlands </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>26</b></td><td>Belgium </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>27</b></td><td>Belize </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>28</b></td><td>Burkina Faso</td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>29</b></td><td>Dominican Republic </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>30</b></td><td>Italy </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>31</b></td><td>Zambia </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.2</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>32</b></td><td>Paraguay </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.1</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>33</b></td><td>Zimbabwe</td><td style="text-align: center;">6.1</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>34</b></td><td>Angola </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.1</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>35</b></td><td>Bosnia & Herzegovina </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.1</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>36</b></td><td>Georgia </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.1</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>37</b></td><td>Guatemala </td><td style="text-align: center;">6.1</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>38</b></td><td>Central African Republic </td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>39</b></td><td>Chad </td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>40</b></td><td>Nigeria </td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>41</b></td><td>Denmark </td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>42</b></td><td>Nicaragua </td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>43</b></td><td>South Africa </td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>44</b></td><td>Bulgaria </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>45</b></td><td>Cape Verde</td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>46</b></td><td>Côte d'Ivoire </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>47</b></td><td>Democratic Republic of the Costa Rica </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>48</b></td><td>Gaza Strip</td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>49</b></td><td>Honduras </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>50</b></td><td>Mexico </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>51</b></td><td>Morocco </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>52</b></td><td>Slovakia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>53</b></td><td>Slovenia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>54</b></td><td>Tunisia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>55</b></td><td>Uruguay </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.9</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>56</b></td><td>Argentina </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>57</b></td><td>Croatia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>58</b></td><td>El Salvador </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>59</b></td><td>Greece </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>60</b></td><td>Serbia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>61</b></td><td>Sweden </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>62</b></td><td>Albania </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.8</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>63</b></td><td>Belarus </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.7</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>64</b></td><td>Chile </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.7</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>65</b></td><td>Germany </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.7</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>66</b></td><td>Iceland </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.7</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>67</b></td><td>Iran </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.7</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>68</b></td><td>Iraq </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.7</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>69</b></td><td>Suriname </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.7</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>70</b></td><td>Austria </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>71</b></td><td>Norway </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>72</b></td><td>Poland </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>73</b></td><td>Switzerland </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>74</b></td><td>Eritrea </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.6</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>75</b></td><td>Israel </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.6</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>76</b></td><td style="background-color: red; color: white; text-align: center;"><b>CANADA</b></td><td style="text-align: center;"><b>5.5</b></td><td><b>Measured</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>77</b></td><td>Macedonia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>78</b></td><td>New Zealand </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>79</b></td><td>Spain </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>80</b></td><td>Turkey </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>81</b></td><td>Ukraine </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>82</b></td><td>United Kingdom </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>83</b></td><td>Algeria </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>84</b></td><td>Somalia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.5</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>85</b></td><td>Azerbaijan </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>86</b></td><td>Finland </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>87</b></td><td>Libya </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>88</b></td><td>Estonia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.4</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>89</b></td><td>Greenland</td><td style="text-align: center;">5.4</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>90</b></td><td>Saudi Arabia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.4</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>91</b></td><td>Afghanistan </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.3</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>92</b></td><td>Turkmenistan </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.3</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>93</b></td><td>Ethiopia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.3</td><td>Self-Reported</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>94</b></td><td>Armenia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>95</b></td><td>Australia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>96</b></td><td>Portugal </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>97</b></td><td>Russia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>98</b></td><td style="background-color: #073763; color: white; text-align: center;"><b>USA</b></td><td style="text-align: center;"><b>5.1</b></td><td><b>Measured</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>99</b></td><td>Ireland </td><td style="text-align: center;">5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>100</b></td><td>Mongolia </td><td style="text-align: center;">5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>101</b></td><td>Yemen </td><td style="text-align: center;">5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>102</b></td><td>Romania </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.9</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>103</b></td><td>Pakistan </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>104</b></td><td>Burma (Myanmar) </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>105</b></td><td>Indonesia </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.6</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>106</b></td><td>Singapore </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>107</b></td><td>Vietnam </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.5</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>108</b></td><td>Bangladesh </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>109</b></td><td>Hong Kong</td><td style="text-align: center;">4.4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>110</b></td><td>Malaysia </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>111</b></td><td>Japan </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.3</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>112</b></td><td>Sri Lanka </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.3</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>113</b></td><td>China </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>114</b></td><td>Taiwan </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>115</b></td><td>The Philippines </td><td style="text-align: center;">4.2</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>116</b></td><td>Cambodia </td><td style="text-align: center;">4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>117</b></td><td>India </td><td style="text-align: center;">4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>118</b></td><td>Thailand </td><td style="text-align: center;">4</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>119</b></td><td>Korea, North </td><td style="text-align: center;">3.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763; text-align: center;"><b>120</b></td><td>Korea, South </td><td style="text-align: center;">3.8</td><td>Measured</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Now, if you're a defensive male like I am, then you're probably thinking, "hey, what the hell does '<u>Self-Reported</u>' mean?". Yes, I hear you. Because we all know that if someone has to "self-report" their penis size, there's no way in hell that you will report if it's 3.8 inches like the poor, poor Koreans.<br />
<br />
As such, if you ask me, I disqualify all of the above countries that have "Self-Reported" their results! :)<br />
<br />
By the way, on the same website (linked above) that reported these results, it also had notes from a study performed on 800 New Yorkers which basically showed that men who were asked to "Self-Report" their erect penis size, on average, embellished the size by between 3cm to 6cm (equivalent to 1.2 inches to 2.4 inches)!<br />
<br />
So, if we want to get technical, if we take the midpoint between 1.2 and 2.4, which is 1.8, and add that to our Canadian length which is 5.5 + 1.8 = 7.3 inches, and the American length which is 5.1 + 1.8 = 6.9 inches, then Canada ends up in 1st place and the USA ends up in 3rd, when <u><i>we</i></u><i> </i>provide "Self-Reported" numbers. Yes, now we feel much better!<br />
<br />
Ok, ok, if we did that, then Ecuador would win... Yes, yes... Listen, this isn't a competition alright! It's not the <i>size that matters</i>, it's the <i>motion of the ocean</i>... No, really! Ah, forget it...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Damn Congo!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.targetmap.com/viewer.aspx?reportId=3073" target="_blank">http://www.targetmap.com/viewer.aspx?reportId=3073</a> by <a href="http://www.targetmap.com/index.aspx?searchinput=onionSlayer&page=1&category=" target="_blank">onionSlayer</a> on <a href="http://www.targetmap.com/#" target="_blank">TargetMap</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com109tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-22857681013944627762011-03-27T12:32:00.000-04:002011-03-27T12:32:27.521-04:00Torontonians Ignore Earth Hour Due To McGuinty Green-Failure Fatigue...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvIc-UHknX2ddcnAx5MWc32n9pDITeq-x-TkuFMS3ZSvjNVYxgOkkhbT0l_W7SLt0JGTkM3c82ld58gCpBZMI930ZT_06x1dQfSBEj870q9N02GaGWDBxXg9SSww8P1Qzb1IL6lsHxooQ/s1600/EarthHour2011_by_LajonTanganco_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvIc-UHknX2ddcnAx5MWc32n9pDITeq-x-TkuFMS3ZSvjNVYxgOkkhbT0l_W7SLt0JGTkM3c82ld58gCpBZMI930ZT_06x1dQfSBEj870q9N02GaGWDBxXg9SSww8P1Qzb1IL6lsHxooQ/s1600/EarthHour2011_by_LajonTanganco_on_flickr.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Last night on March 26th 2011 between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, the world recognized Earth Hour (see: <a href="http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx" target="_blank">EarthHour.org</a>), but if you were in Toronto, you wouldn't have been able to distinguish last night from any other night, as Torontonians are just fed up, and if Green fanatics and Eco activists are looking for someone to blame, you need to look no further than Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.<br />
<br />
With everything from McGuinty's failed Eco Fees (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/ontario-eco-fees-fail-to-divert.html" target="_blank">Ontario Eco Fees FAIL to Divert Hazardous Materials from Landfills...</a> and <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/07/eco-fees-trashed-another-mcguinty.html" target="_blank">Eco Fees Trashed! Another McGuinty Government Fiasco...</a>) to his failed Green Experiments and Smart Meters causing skyrocketing Electricity prices (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/01/dalton-mcguintys-energy-policy-costs.html" target="_blank">Dalton McGuinty's Energy Policy Costs Ontario 1,680% Extra for Electricity!</a> and <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/10/george-smitherman-caused-ontarios.html" target="_blank">McGuinty's Former Deputy Premier George Smitherman Caused Ontario's Skyrocketing Electricity Rates...</a>), Torontonians and Ontarians are so black and blue from McGuinty's Green abuse, that just the mention of the words "Green" or "Eco" has us feeling traumatized and reaching to protect our wallets.<br />
<br />
What Torontonians and Ontarians need, more now than ever, is a "Wallet Hour", not an "Earth Hour", protecting our pocketbooks from McGuinty's relentless Taxation Warming.<br />
<br />
Here's the Earth Hour story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/962381--toronto-only-sees-5-per-cent-power-drop-for-earth-hour" target="_blank">Toronto only sees 5 per cent power drop for Earth Hour</a><br />
<blockquote>Is Toronto in the dark when it comes to Earth Hour?<br />
<br />
Millions of people from 134 countries — from Delhi, India to Heidelberg, Germany — switched off their lights and televisions for the fifth annual Earth Hour on Saturday night to show their support for action on climate change.<br />
<br />
But Toronto only saw a 5 per cent power drop during the event — half of the reduction achieved during Earth Hour in 2010.<br />
<br />
The year before that, the city had a 15 per cent drop in megawatts being used.<br />
<br />
Parts of Toronto went dark from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night, but spectators at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square said they were disappointed to see many stores stay brightly lit.<br />
<br />
Toronto first participated in 2008, a year after the World Wildlife Fund kicked off the event in Australia.<br />
<br />
“We are really proud to be the lead city in Canada fighting to save the environment and in supporting Earth Hour,” said then-mayor David Miller at the time.<br />
<br />
On Saturday, the Star sought out prominent leaders and landmarks city-wide to see if they were setting an example. The results were disappointing.<br />
<br />
Some experts say the novelty of the event has worn off. But the WWF, which runs Earth Hour, says more countries and municipalities are participating than ever before.<br />
<br />
The 5 per cent power reduction equals a drop of about 115 megawatts for the one hour period – the equivalent of about 35,000 homes or 12 skyscrapers going off the grid.</blockquote><br />
Dalton McGuinty's Ontario Liberal <em>Green Crusading</em> has turned off Torontonians and Ontarians, and now we're starting to see the backlash.<br />
<br />
Just wait until November when McGuinty and his Ontario Liberals are tossed in the trash, and no amount of recycling will ever bring them back to power.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lajon/5549006981/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/lajon/5549006981/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lajon/" target="_blank">Vajrasattva</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-89848819591743583022011-03-24T16:56:00.000-04:002011-03-24T16:56:05.867-04:00Statistic: Median Net Worth by Age & By Annual Income - Are You On Track?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTWoSSg_Knm3LlxiUHAO8DmVHVxpbFhyyHbEoraWEOATKr1VTWsp0Cff1dbkWqnaxPfDjcimBWTP3LX1g8W_NGKRRSP0MzrPcLgzeSac_udUVEQmQcFrbrtNU2ZeMazx_dgDwJSDpkDFa/s1600/Money_by_khrawlings_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTWoSSg_Knm3LlxiUHAO8DmVHVxpbFhyyHbEoraWEOATKr1VTWsp0Cff1dbkWqnaxPfDjcimBWTP3LX1g8W_NGKRRSP0MzrPcLgzeSac_udUVEQmQcFrbrtNU2ZeMazx_dgDwJSDpkDFa/s640/Money_by_khrawlings_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's natural for people to wonder how they measure up against everyone else when it comes to what their Net Worth is when they're at a certain Age, or what their Net Worth is when they're making a certain Annual Income. I know I do sometimes...<br />
<br />
Well, it turns out that <a href="http://www.claritas.com/sitereports/Default.jsp" target="_blank">Neilsen Claritas</a> performed a study which measured this in the United States, and <a href="http://money.cnn.com/" target="_blank">CNN Money</a> created a great calculator as a part of their Retirement Calculators which shows the Median value (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median" target="_blank">Wikipedia: Median</a>) for Net Worth (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Networth" target="_blank">Wikipedia: Net Worth</a>) by Age and by Annual Income.<br />
<br />
I thought it was pretty handy, so I figured I would share it with you.<br />
<br />
The CNN Net Worth by Age and Income Calculator can be found at the following site: <br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/networth_ageincome/index.html" target="_blank">Net Worth: How do you stack up?</a><br />
<br />
I took the liberty of creating 2 tables that show what the Median Net Worth is both by Age and by Annual Income, based on the values provided by the CNN Money Calculator (to save you the trouble of having to test each out on your own):<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIAN NET WORTH BY AGE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nIJDIkXJv3lpOR8fRs03rI0GpszwQKj5KQDJySs3DdevsYgjrLEU5Gc7oVVi_Gq7bA40lstz3LCRx9E_X-553dKyWBp3M0EyTAwrNtIvVayFfjb_QGgJIE6d_0afOC46wkBDaEZDgVIx/s1600/NetWorthByAge.JPG" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nIJDIkXJv3lpOR8fRs03rI0GpszwQKj5KQDJySs3DdevsYgjrLEU5Gc7oVVi_Gq7bA40lstz3LCRx9E_X-553dKyWBp3M0EyTAwrNtIvVayFfjb_QGgJIE6d_0afOC46wkBDaEZDgVIx/s640/NetWorthByAge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIAN NET WORTH BY ANNUAL INCOME</b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRSiC_1pphHhn47jlZ2RCojdAkUy2Wyuc4f4tq5SebQLG7IPYwkcQGGxbx7vFnOllsvIvAMewOB5E0kawa_KDxqCeQV9Lfimu_XBozW9B86RHuz3w2bdwa93voYkB2KYAtVFLaRPiysUF/s1600/NetWorthByAnnualIncome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRSiC_1pphHhn47jlZ2RCojdAkUy2Wyuc4f4tq5SebQLG7IPYwkcQGGxbx7vFnOllsvIvAMewOB5E0kawa_KDxqCeQV9Lfimu_XBozW9B86RHuz3w2bdwa93voYkB2KYAtVFLaRPiysUF/s640/NetWorthByAnnualIncome.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So, how do you measure up? Are you on track? Are you behind? Are you ahead?<br />
<br />
I would tell you where I stand<i> to get your sympathy</i>, but I'm sure you have your own problems... ;)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/khrawlings/3407402643/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/khrawlings/3407402643/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/khrawlings/" target="_blank">khrawlings</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-44451101319985108782011-03-24T15:00:00.001-04:002011-03-24T15:06:14.204-04:00Toronto's Leftist City Councillors Perversely Punish Torontonians via the TEYCC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh24FVQyLlZfGrAJrT1vyrFZQ_zS5fkgf64A3EwhkvMb2VAHcm3jAf4XlGrM-ZDcAdnUHOfSIMRODO7cje84VebCZQUUh2ez8F1BtzcK19YlSLclXpOcTYqUUM3h62aN45eTaGpOdANpU/s1600/14PetmanAvenueGoogleMaps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh24FVQyLlZfGrAJrT1vyrFZQ_zS5fkgf64A3EwhkvMb2VAHcm3jAf4XlGrM-ZDcAdnUHOfSIMRODO7cje84VebCZQUUh2ez8F1BtzcK19YlSLclXpOcTYqUUM3h62aN45eTaGpOdANpU/s640/14PetmanAvenueGoogleMaps.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Wendy Hymus' House in Ward 22 where her request to have a parking pad installed was rejected by the TEYCC.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Talk about sore losers... <br />
<br />
In a lame attempt to punish Torontonians for removing any remaining power that Toronto City Council's Leftist tax-spend-and-waste contingent have in the city, Councillors like Gord Perks and Adam Vaughan have chosen to use the Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC) as a tool to make applicable constituents the proverbial whipping-boys on which to unleash their payback in the form of parking pad request rejections (among other things).<br />
<br />
Torontonians residing in the Wards within the realm of the TEYCC are facing a firing squad of Leftist Councillors who make every attempt to reject their requests for parking pads on their properties, simply because Toronto Mayor Rob Ford won the election with one of the goals being to end the war on the car, and therefore, by rejecting these requests from car owners, they are winning a small victory against Rob Ford, meanwhile causing a massive loss for the TEYCC constituents.<br />
<br />
Car owners in these applicable Wards require parking pads (parking spaces constructed on their properties, sometimes above grassed areas on their front lawn) for all kinds of reasons ranging from disability issues, to security concerns about having to park countless blocks away and having to walk home at late hours of the night, to concerns with having to make their small children have to endure this long trek, simply because they cannot install this parking pad on their own property. But, when residents raise these issues with the TEYCC Council representatives, instead of looking out for Torontonians and trying to help them with their problems (as they were elected to do), they instead do everything they can to make life harder for these constituents, a truly perverse and scumbag move.<br />
<br />
Here is a related story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2011/03/23/17731256.html" target="_blank">Car-hating councillors strike again: Levy</a><br />
<blockquote>Wendy Hymus came to Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC) on Jan. 18 pleading for permission to create a parking spot in the front yard of her midtown semi-detached home.<br />
<br />
The single Grade 1 teacher told councillors safety is a “significant concern” for her especially at night when she has to walk from whatever spot she finds in her Eglinton and Mt. Pleasant neighbourhood.<br />
<br />
To add insult to injury, her street does not offer permit parking — meaning she forever risks a $15 parking ticket if she parks on it for too long.<br />
<br />
“There are no other parking options for me,” she told community council that day.<br />
<br />
Hymus, 40, already had an interlocking walkway built to city specifications and only needed to extend that by about one metre to have room to park her Mazda 3 on the front-yard pad.<br />
<br />
The city’s own report also noted there are six properties already licensed for front-yard parking on her street. A poll of the neighbours in the area found some 80% were in favour of allowing Hymus to create the parking pad.<br />
<br />
She also promised to ensure the city tree on her front yard — a maple — would not be damaged in any way.<br />
<br />
But that did not satisfy the leftist contingent on the TEYCC — whose loss of power at City Hall has not dampened their zeal to banish every car they can from this city.<br />
<br />
Hymus lost her bid on a 5-5 vote.<br />
<br />
“I think it left me a little bit bitter,” she said Wednesday. “I hoped there would have been a little more understanding with my safety concerns.” <br />
<br />
But that wasn’t the end of the story.<br />
<br />
The following month at TEYCC, a neighbour who lives three doors down from Hymus won his bid to install a front-yard parking pad. The same circumstances were involved including a potentially compromised city tree in close proximity to the pad.<br />
<br />
The bid squeezed through 6-5.<br />
<br />
Why? Because one of the anti-parking pad leftists had slipped out of the room to the washroom during the vote.<br />
<br />
“It’s frustrating,” said Hymus. “I was left thinking why is there not a general policy ... there should be consistency on how they deal with it.”<br />
<br />
Oh but there is a policy.<br />
<br />
That policy, at least for the anti-car contingent on the TEYCC, is not to approve a single front-yard parking pad no matter the circumstances — unless an applicant happens to catch a break when one of them takes a bathroom break.<br />
<br />
Families with small children, those with health conditions or existing parking pads before they rebuilt their homes, even those who’ve taken time to find environmentally friendly solutions for their pads — all of them be damned because they have the audacity to drive cars.<br />
<br />
I watched three applications go down to defeat in a row at this past week’s TEYCC — led by the council’s smug chairman, Gord Perks, who has discovered this is one way he can flex his muscles now that his feckless leader, David Miller, is no longer in power.<br />
<br />
One of the applicants even had to sit through the insufferable Adam Vaughan who insisted he and his leftist pals have been “begging, pleading, demanding, asking, requesting” that his colleagues on TEYCC who support any and all front-yard parking pads (sniff, sniff) come forth with “criteria” for approving them.</blockquote><br />
I found the details of Wendy Hymus's case on the City of Toronto website at the following link: <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.TE3.17" target="_blank">TE3.17 - Front Yard Parking Appeal – 14 Petman Avenue</a>. Feel free to take a look if you are interested.<br />
<br />
The Toronto & East York Community Council (see: <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/committees/council_profiles/torontosouth.htm" target="_blank">Toronto.ca - Toronto & East York Community Council</a>) spans across the following Wards, and is controlled by the following Toronto City Councillors:<br />
<br />
Ward 14 - Gord Perks - TEYCC Committee Chair<br />
Ward 18 - Anna Bailao<br />
Ward 19 - Mike Layton<br />
Ward 20 - Adam Vaughan<br />
Ward 21 - Joe Mihevc<br />
Ward 22 - Josh Matlow<br />
Ward 27 - Kristyn Wong-Tam<br />
Ward 28 - Pam McConnell<br />
Ward 29 - Mary Fragedakis<br />
Ward 30 - Paula Fletcher - TEYCC Committee Vice-Chair<br />
Ward 31 - Janet Davis<br />
Ward 32 - Mary-Margaret McMahon<br />
<br />
As you can see, the obvious scumbag Leftist City Councillors are present on this list, like TEYCC Committee Chair Gord Perks, Vice-Chair Paula Fletcher, Adam Vaughan, Pam McConnell, Janet Davis and Joe Mihevc. Throw in newbie lefties like Mike Layton into the mix, and getting anything passed through this committee that would be in the best interests of TEYCC constituents, is pretty much impossible.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, in reviewing the records of the <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&decisionBodyId=267" target="_blank">TEYCC Vote Results</a> for these parking pad requests, it doesn't show which Councillors voted for or against the requests (lucky for them), but you can be pretty sure that those Councillors singled out above were most likely the naysayers.<br />
<br />
People who wonder why Mayor Rob Ford and other City Councillors like him were at such odds with these Leftist Scumbag City Councillors who were running the show when David Miller was in charge, only need to look to the horror stories of the constituents who voted them into office to understand why. <br />
<br />
I still remember Councillor Paula Fletcher scolding Torontonians when they asked simple questions about the budget last year. She challenged them to run against her in the election if they didn't like how she did things. Unfortunately when they did challenge her, she still won (by a very small margin, but still).<br />
<br />
Until Torontonians realize that these Leftist Councillors are not in it for them, but truly are only looking to push their own selfish agendas, these travesties will continue to happen. Sadly for the Wards under the TEYCC, this is going to be their reality for the next few years -and longer if they don't vote differently next time.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from <a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=14+Petman+Avenue&layer=c&sll=43.707564,-79.384164&cbp=13,230.86,,0,4.31&cbll=43.707543,-79.384135&hl=en&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=14+Petman+Ave,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M4S+2S8&ll=43.707438,-79.382079&spn=0,0.009624&t=h&z=17&panoid=3BXatZ5oGSZ59IEYxvvEtA" target="_blank">http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=14+Petman+Avenue&layer=c&sll=43.707564,-79.384164&cbp=13,230.86,,0,4.31&cbll=43.707543,-79.384135&hl=en&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=14+Petman+Ave,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M4S+2S8&ll=43.707438,-79.382079&spn=0,0.009624&t=h&z=17&panoid=3BXatZ5oGSZ59IEYxvvEtA</a> on Google Maps<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span> </div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-52373111395424235482011-03-20T10:25:00.000-04:002011-03-20T10:25:48.875-04:00Milton Crown Prosecutor Fails Canada on PETA Pie-Terrorist's Weak Plea Deal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_8B8KQYsNhW9vCc3hq1VLO4m8Olz9KiQKiLdI1jeyuFsgTP_pcIfcQmwQTg3FWn-OJbTz7g68WRN8sne_-MjJ9OZudceOUoOWiCV31NOkUHAcECPvgveRgLAeK4cSzy9Po87D-u0LNps/s1600/GailSheaPieInFaceCombined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_8B8KQYsNhW9vCc3hq1VLO4m8Olz9KiQKiLdI1jeyuFsgTP_pcIfcQmwQTg3FWn-OJbTz7g68WRN8sne_-MjJ9OZudceOUoOWiCV31NOkUHAcECPvgveRgLAeK4cSzy9Po87D-u0LNps/s640/GailSheaPieInFaceCombined.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Last week, the Milton Crown Prosecutor made a shameful and disgusting <i>deal with the devil</i>, an American PETA Pie-Terrorist devil that is, essentially condoning the planned and calculated assault on a Canadian Government Minister and telling anyone that if they disagree with a Canadian Policy, they should feel free to go right ahead and assault the applicable Canadian Minister without fear of <i>true</i> accountability.<br />
<br />
The American PETA-Terrorist, Emily McCoy, waited patiently tofu-pie-in-hand, at a press conference where Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea, was about to speak. As soon as she got up to the podium and started her speech, McCoy ran up to her and slammed the pie in her face, after which she started shouting her verbal diatribe about immoral seal clubbing and the unethical treatment of animals and etc.<br />
<br />
Here is a YouTube Video that shows the incident:<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0XIN4P-7jE" target="_blank"> Gail Shea Gets Pie In Face by PETA Activist!</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p0XIN4P-7jE?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></div><br />
I don't know anyone who could watch that video and not feel absolutely horrible for Minister Shea...<br />
<br />
Now, I'm not going to get into the moral aspect of seal hunting and clubbing, as that truly is completely irrelevant in this discussion. Whether it's right or wrong has nothing to do with the willful planned assault on an elected Canadian Government Official, and the lack of justice handed out by our horrifying useless Crown Prosecutor and Milton Judge. <br />
<br />
The deal handed to McCoy for carrying out this essentially terrorist assault was (as per the Toronto Star article: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/955857--woman-banned-from-canada-over-pieing-minister?bn=1" target="_blank">Woman banned from Canada over pieing minister</a>):<br />
<br />
Probation for 2 years which includes the following (to be enforced during these 2 years):<br />
- Not being allowed to enter Canada<br />
- Not being allowed to have any contact with Minister Gail Shea, her victim<br />
- Not being allowed to have any contact with the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans<br />
- Not being allowed to have contact with any Canadian Embassies or Consulates<br />
<br />
And that's it. No jail time for the assault on a Canadian Elected Government Minister. No lifetime ban from entering Canada. This truly was an un-justifiable slap on the wrist, though even a literal slap on the wrist would have been a more harsh punishment.<br />
<br />
The Milton Crown Prosecutor, in making this outrageous plea deal with the PETA-Terrorist, and the Milton Judge who accepted this horrific plea deal, both have failed Canada, and both desperately need to be removed from office immediately. Apparently they don't understand that in the current state of the world in which we live, it is absolutely critical to make examples of such assaulting acts on our elected Government Officials, regardless of what the righteous intention was, or even the severity of the assault (given that the PETA sympathizers will claim that it was <i>just</i> a pie in the face).<br />
<br />
Unfortunately there hasn't been any press coverage of the Crown Prosecutor's or the Judge's formal justification for this lax and irresponsible sentencing, nor have they provided the names of these failed so-called public representatives who allowed this deal.<br />
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But in the meantime, I guess based on the Crown's and Judge's decision, we can take solace in watching a video of a PETA activist getting pied in her face while protesting and waiting for Prime Minister Harper. Apparently, that is ok and is condoned by our keepers of justice in Milton.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L880zkvT9Yc?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshots from Video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiEIX-uirGY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiEIX-uirGY</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/nomorecruelty" target="_blank">nomorecruelty</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-31968629933498967782011-03-18T00:38:00.000-04:002011-03-18T00:38:15.006-04:00HST "First Look" Study Paid For By Ontario Ministry of Finance is Flawed...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDERV56t98ptP1OBOoG6h5swN3n5OzZ3Uj89S8tN7DmxVnWs6AbKdlG7GqzOp6Bam4bEUFS6zfCe9bCxw94h1_88aX_ReI3Ed8LqtRnyxTYii2qiKx8nJF_1WatGyFqWyBgvQy5kfu6tUD/s1600/OntarioParliament_by_bobolink_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDERV56t98ptP1OBOoG6h5swN3n5OzZ3Uj89S8tN7DmxVnWs6AbKdlG7GqzOp6Bam4bEUFS6zfCe9bCxw94h1_88aX_ReI3Ed8LqtRnyxTYii2qiKx8nJF_1WatGyFqWyBgvQy5kfu6tUD/s640/OntarioParliament_by_bobolink_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The Ontario Ministry of Finance (obviously on Premier Dalton McGuinty's request given the up-coming election) <i>cleverly</i> requested a Study to be conducted now (barely months after the HST's introduction in Ontario), in order to measure the financial impact of the HST on Ontario families.<br />
<br />
The results of this Study appear to show that prices increased slightly in Ontario by 0.9% in July 2010, and 0.6% in December 2010, compared to what would have happened had the HST not been implemented. <br />
<br />
To see the study for yourself (and I encourage you to read it through, it's not too bad), please visit: <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
University of Calgary - The School of Public Policy website at: <a href="http://policyschool.ucalgary.ca/publications" target="_blank">The School of Public Policy - Latest Papers</a>, and the actual study pdf can be downloaded at: <a href="http://policyschool.ucalgary.ca/files/publicpolicy/ontario%20sales%20tax%20reform4.pdf" target="_blank">THE IMPACT OF SALES TAX REFORM ON ONTARIO CONSUMERS: A First Look at the Evidence</a>.<br />
<br />
Now, aside from the fact that Dalton McGuinty continuously said that prices would decrease given that the HST was passing the tax burden on from Businesses to the Consumers, and therefore the tax savings from the Businesses would result in lower prices for Consumers (as well as new jobs and higher wages for employees of the businesses), unfortunately right off the bat we are still seeing price increases (as per the Study), and as far as I've seen and heard, still there haven't been any mass availabilities of new jobs and no mass wage increases for business employees after the implementation of the HST. Of course these 2 latter points are of my own opinion, but with that said, prove me wrong!<br />
<br />
So that's already 3 points against the HST, and 3 points that were not noted in this Study. And if I guess correctly, the author of the Study will blame the fact that it's still too early to expect changes in those areas, yet here we are performing the Study at this early point anyway. It's funny how when it works to the benefit of the HST, it is fine to perform a short term study. But when it works against it, it's not factual, right? Right...<br />
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In my intro, you probably noticed that I said that McGuinty "<i>cleverly</i>" requested the study now. The reason I said "<i>cleverly</i>", is because by performing the study now, as opposed to performing the study a year from now or two years from now, that means that the Ontario one-time $1,000 transitional payments will be incorporated into this Study's determined financial impact on Ontario families, and Dalton McGuinty knew this full well when requesting this study at this time. Had this study been performed in 2012 or 2013 (post-election), it would no longer include these one-time payments, and therefore a far less biased study (which currently favours Dalton McGuinty) and a far more factual study (showing the HSTs true costs on Ontario families) would have been performed. The author of the study constantly notes that this study is a "first look" at the tax, pretty much in the same way that when you light a fire in a room that has a sprinkler system, at first look it appears to be contained, and therefore you would assume that it's not so bad. But when you allow the fire to grow over time and also shut off that sprinkler system, next thing you know, not only is the entire house on fire, but so is the entire forest where the house resides. The fact that this study was performed so short-term after the HST's implementation and includes these one-time transition payments -meant to disguise the true HST-driven financial burden on Ontario families just long enough for the October Provincial Election- is a definite flaw.<br />
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Other flaws that can be found in the study are as follows:<br />
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- The Study compares Ontario with Quebec when looking at the changes in prices based on the HST's introduction. Though Ontario and Quebec are close in proximity, and may seem to be closely tied economically, at the end of the day, the study is comparing Ontario with Quebec instead of Ontario with Ontario, essentially comparing Apples with Oranges. To assume that if the prices rise in Ontario they will definitely rise in Quebec by the exact same amount, is a huge leap of faith. Definitely the same type of leap of faith that the McGuinty Government took in hoping Ontarians would believe this flawed and biased study. The only way this Study works is if Ontario and Quebec have the exact same price fluctuations on everything all the time, and this is just not a logical assumption.<br />
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- The Study shows that Travel Services prices didn't increase as much in Ontario compared to Quebec after the implementation of the HST, but as the Study notes, there was a 3% Price Levy on Ontario Hotel Rooms used to finance local tourism that was removed at the same time as the HST was introduced (not related). Therefore, this 3% reduction in price should have been taken into account in this study, but the author chose not to include that in his metrics, and instead just made a quick side note that this reduction could "reflect in part seller's conscious decision to absorb the new tax in the form of lower industry funding for tourism promotion". This was yet another purposeful oversight used to ensure the Study's results were skewed in its financier's (the Dalton McGuinty Ministry of Finance) favour.<br />
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- The Study doesn't include the impact of the HST on New House purchases, while New House purchases falls into the category (Owned Accommodation) that has the second highest CPI of 17.3 (out of 100, with the highest being Private Transportation which includes Gasoline and Taxis and is a 17.9 out of 100). The author even notes that due to the HST being applied on New Homes, this also causes the price of the Non-New Homes (Resale Homes) to increase as well due to the market for similarly located, aged and sized homes. With the impact of the HST on New Home Prices and Resale Home Prices being applied on such high amounts (with home prices costing hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to a haircut which costs $20), though the end percentage applied for the tax may be low, the overall dollar price impact is huge at the end of the day. Yet, the author chose to exclude New Home Price increases from his metrics? Now, the author does state some reasons as to why it would be hard to pinpoint exactly how much New Home Prices account for the overall Owned Accommodation category, and this is another reason why he's excluded it from his metrics, but, given the he said that Resale homes were also indirectly impacted by the HST being applied on New Homes, really, the impact of the HST on Owned Accommodation should have been meaningful enough to include it in the calculations. If it's not possible to calculate it, then this study should not have been performed. Performing this study while excluding a critical price-increasing category in the calculation, is a yet another flaw of this Study, with this one being pretty much fatal.<br />
<br />
Given all of these flaws -and I'm sure there are many more that a person who is more educated in this area would be able to point out as well- this study truly should be taken with a grain of salt, and should be categorized as yet another pathetic attempt by Dalton McGuinty to manipulate the public just in time for the October Provincial Election.<br />
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Please keep these flaws in mind when the McGuinty HST Manipulation Campaign heads your way this Election.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobolink/3831627151/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobolink/3831627151/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobolink/" target="_blank">Bobolink</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-30045759304102914882011-03-15T23:35:00.002-04:002011-03-19T11:16:51.511-04:00List of Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty's Scandals with Details...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSErE9WOM5L1FQpW_ldhCT6JeoOqPef9D3twIwf2JGNn5D2iHMS9vilq0rtm2eNhxRK8fQm-GtueprTCiZXvLVHxnPB1wYos63f3OVpfR-hVY_OM3cVNFk_0EOKapj9-ShvyQ4tEcFj6wm/s1600/Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSErE9WOM5L1FQpW_ldhCT6JeoOqPef9D3twIwf2JGNn5D2iHMS9vilq0rtm2eNhxRK8fQm-GtueprTCiZXvLVHxnPB1wYos63f3OVpfR-hVY_OM3cVNFk_0EOKapj9-ShvyQ4tEcFj6wm/s640/Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg" width="507" /></a></div><br />
With the Ontario Provincial Election coming up in October, and with Liberal Organizations like the "Working Families Coalition" out there spreading their pro-Liberal pro-Union agenda (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/disgraceful-working-families-coalition.html" target="_blank">Disgraceful "Working Families Coalition" Defines Anti-Family in Ontario...</a>), I though it absolutely necessary to pull together a list with supporting details of 30 Dalton McGuinty Ontario Liberal Scandals that have taken place over his 2 terms as the Premier of Ontario (from 2003 to 2011).<br />
<br />
Without a doubt, Dalton McGuinty is the most scandal-plagued, tax-spend-and-waste, unethical, integrity-deficient Premier that Ontario has ever had in its entire history. And even though this should be obvious to all Ontarians, McGuinty's gift of being able to talk his way out of anything often leaves Ontarians questioning their hurtful experiences and falling for his "Premier Dad" routine of manipulation. McGuinty could literally get away with murder by convincing Ontarians that "though this was not the easy thing to do, it was the right thing to do".<br />
<br />
Given this gift of his, <i>even I</i> find myself sometimes caught up in his rhetoric about being responsible and taking our tough medicine even if it tastes awful, only to find myself later waking up in a proverbial hangover with my head pounding realizing that he got me once again! This is why I compiled this list of many of Dalton McGuinty's more publicized scandals (along with links to applicable news stories from reputable news organizations that have reported on them). Now every time I find myself questioning my disgust with Premier McGuinty, I simply just review this list and remember everything that he has done to Ontario and Ontarians.<br />
<br />
Though this list has many Scandals, Broken Promises and New Taxes/Fees that Premier Dalton McGuinty has plagued Ontarians with since being elected, in no way is this a complete list. If you find that I have missed any Scandals, Broken Promises or New Taxes/Fees, please feel free to add a comment and note them along with any supporting websites that readers can review to get further details.<br />
<br />
Without any further delay, here is the list. (Please note that this list is not in any particular order related to importance or timelines or etc.)<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
1. The McGuinty Ontario Health Premium - The highest tax increase in Ontario's history, implemented months after Dalton McGuinty was elected in 2003 on a promise to not increase taxes (even after signing a contract with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to not increase taxes). McGuinty justified his healthcare tax increase on Ontario's Working Families by saying that he inherited an unknown deficit from the previous Government, yet here we stand today in Ontario with the highest deficit that Ontario has ever had, literally multiplied by the McGuinty Government and Ontario's Unions. This was the first tax of many new taxes and user fees that Dalton McGuinty has imposed on Ontario's Working Families in order to support his Union Boss buddies and allow the scandalous corruption to continue. (See: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/archives/article783867.ece" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: The health care premium</a>).<br />
<br />
2. The McGuinty Delisting of OHIP Covered Necessary Health Services - Where after Dalton McGuinty promised not to decrease any health services covered by OHIP, and also not to raise taxes, he did both on the same day by implementing the Ontario Health Premium and delisting coverage of Optometry (Eye), Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Services for Ontarians. (See: <a href="http://www.cancer.nt.ca/Ontario/About%20us/Media%20centre/OD-Media%20releases/Mixed%20reaction%20to%20McGuinty%20governments%20budget%20Canadian%20Canc%0A%0Aer%20Society.aspx?sc_lang=en" target="_blank">Canadian Cancer Care Society: Mixed reaction to McGuinty government’s budget</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/OntarioElection/article/260657" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Hampton pledges to pay for delisted health services</a>.)<br />
<br />
3. The McGuinty eHealth Scandal - That cost Ontario's Working Families a Billion dollars in wasted tax dollars (and unprecedented delays in the computerization of Ontario's health records), and is a true definition of "gravy", a term that also defines McGuinty's wasteful mismanagement of the Ontario Government. Here we stand years after this initiative started and Billions of dollars in the hole, and still it is not completed. The eHealth failure was famous not only for its complete lack of progress, but also for its constant usage of sole-sourcing and untendered contracts to Liberal friends, along with scandalous expenses logged by useless consultants, eHealth Executives and Upper Management. "eHeatlh" has now become a term that is synonymous with scandal, waste and boondoggle. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/703083" target="_blank">Toronto Star: EHealth operation bled $1B</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/topic/News-Ontario-eHealth" target="_blank">Toronto Star - Coverage of eHealth Ontario</a>.)<br />
<br />
4. The McGuinty Slush Fund Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty's Government gave $32 Million to Liberal friendly groups (in the form of Government Grants) over a 2 years span with no formal application process and no accountability for how the money would be spent. Just, "here you go, vote Liberal!" (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/208203" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Insults and accusations fly in Ontario 'slush fund' affair</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/206442" target="_blank">Toronto Star: New charges fuel 'slush fund' scandal</a>.)<br />
<br />
5. The McGuinty Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Scandal - Where on the McGuinty Government's watch, there were multiple accounts of catastrophic corruption related to Lottery Winnings being stolen from Ontario families by Lottery Retailers, countless OLG insider wins, Ontario family tax dollars being corruptly given out via sole-sourced untendered contracts to Liberal friendly firms, and massive Ontario family tax dollar waste via the horrifying expenses by OLG staff again allowed by the McGuinty Government (in exactly the same way it was allowed in eHealth). (See: <a href="http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090831/OLG_changes_090831/20090831?hub=Toronto" target="_blank">CTV: Ont. gov't scrambles to control OLG scandal damage</a> and <a href="http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090831/olg_timeline_090831/20090831/?hub=TorontoNewHome" target="_blank">CTV: OLG: Billions in profits, but lots of headaches</a>.)<br />
<br />
6. The McGuinty CancerCare Ontario Scandal - Yet another eHealth-style scandal costing Ontario Working Families millions of dollars. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2009/10/07/cancer-care-ontario.html" target="_blank">CBC: Cancer Care Ontario broke rules: audit</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/10/08/11340216-sun.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: A 'scandal behind another scandal'</a>.)<br />
<br />
7. The McGuinty Municipal Property Assessment Corp. (MPAC) Scandal - Where on the McGuinty Government's watch, Ontario Families had their homes either significantly undervalued or significantly overvalued by the MPAC, resulting in either a huge loss of their home's value, or them being significantly overcharged for property taxes. When provided the auditor's report, the MPAC rejected investigating into the issue. In addition to their failures in providing the basic service for which they are employed, they also were caught in yet another eHealth-type expense scandal. (See: <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:EUbSmgCbDngJ:www.ottawacitizen.com/story_print.html%3Fid%3D3934758%26sponsor%3D+MPAC+Scandal+Ottaw%0A%0Aa+Citizen&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.ca" target="_blank">The Ottawa Citizen: Ontario auditor-general says MPAC shortchanges homeowners, hospital wait times not improving</a> and <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/books/Ontario+Audit/3937294/story.html" target="_blank">National Post: Ontario's Audit</a>.)<br />
<br />
8. The McGuinty Children's Aid Society (CAS) Scandal - Where on the McGuinty Government's watch, Ontario working family tax dollars that were supposed to go towards vulnerable children in Ontario, were instead squandered on Luxury Vehicles, All-Inclusive Luxury Resort Vacations to the Caribbean and other vacation destinations, Gym Memberships and Executive Allowances for CAS Management. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2006/11/30/ont-childrensaid.html" target="_blank">CBC: Ontario children's aid societies misspent money, auditors allege</a>, <a href="http://www.theinquiry.ca/CAS_scandal_011206.hide.php" target="_blank">National Post / The Ottawa Citizen: Children's Aid funds misused, auditor says</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/126640" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Opposition slams Ont. Liberals over CAS</a>.)<br />
<br />
9. The McGuinty Tire Tax - Yet another blatant lie by Dalton McGuinty where he said he would not implement a tire tax, and then went right ahead and implemented one (calling it a fee and not a tax, as to act like he didn't lie yet again). (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/ted_woloshyn/2009/08/29/10661711-sun.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Tired of all the taxes</a> and <a href="http://www.wheels.ca/Article_Category/News_and_Features/article/549587" target="_blank">Toronto Star - Wheels.ca: Costly tire recycling plan will replace one that only needs tweaking</a>.)<br />
<br />
10. The McGuinty Ontario Ministry of Health, Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) and Ontario Hospitals Consultant Hiring & Expenses Scandal - Where under the McGuinty Government, yet again another eHealth-type of fiasco took place, where untendered contracts were awarded to consultants and lobbyists, in addition to lax expense controls leading to lavish world-wide vacations in thousand-dollar-a-night hotels, expensive lunches and boozy dinners all paid for by Ontario's Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/878209--ontario-tightens-lobbying-rules-after-scathing-report" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Ontario tightens lobbying rules after scathing report</a> and <a href="http://www.globaltoronto.com/auditor+general+says+rules+health+consultants+still+followed/3699492/story.html" target="_blank">Global TV: Ont. auditor general says rules on health consultants still not followed</a>.)<br />
<br />
11. The McGuinty Tax Collectors Getting $45,000 Severance Packages for switching their job titles from "Provincial" to "Federal" Scandal - Where when Dalton McGuinty implemented the HST in Ontario, he overlooked the severance packages that would be rewarded to Ontario's Tax Collectors who, though they would not be losing their jobs, would still get this massive payout from Ontario's Working Families (many of which can only dream about making $45,000 a year) for moving from the Provincial Ontario Government to the Federal Government. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/hst/article/778415--tax-collectors-get-45k-severance-keep-jobs" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Tax collectors get $45K severance, keep jobs</a>.)<br />
<br />
12. The McGuinty Niagara Falls Commission Scandal - Yet another eHealth-type fiasco, where countless tax dollars from Ontario's Working Families were blown on fancy dinners, nights out, expensive hotels and countless other unethical expenses by Management at the Niagara Parks Commission, not to mention the usual untendered contracts and sole-sourced deals given to Liberal friends. (See: <a href="http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/276801--niagara-parks-exec-ran-up-400-000-in-expenses" target="_blank">The Hamilton Spectator: Niagara Parks exec ran up $400,000 in expenses</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2010/12/02/16408316.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Call in the auditor!: Blizzard</a>.)<br />
<br />
13. The McGuinty General Motors Auto Pensions Bailout - Where Dalton McGuinty, after rejecting for years that Ontario taxpayers wouldn't be expected to bail out the GM Pensions (as many Ontarians don't have pensions themselves), Dalton McGuinty like usual, went ahead and broke that promise and provided Ontario Working Family tax dollars to GM to bail out their auto pensions. (See: <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1651485" target="_blank">National Post: Canada may hold stake in GM until 2018</a>.)<br />
<br />
14. The McGuinty Nortel Pensions Bailout - Where again, Dalton McGuinty for years said that Ontario taxpayers shouldn't be expected to bailout the pensions of private companies, as many Ontarians don't have pensions themselves, went ahead and bailed out Nortel's workers' pensions in an effort to buy votes for a by-election. (See: <a href="http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/69629--mcguinty-shrugs-off-accusations-of-vote-buying-with-nortel-pension-guarantee" target="_blank">CityTV: McGuinty Shrugs Off Accusations Of Vote-Buying With Nortel Pension Guarantee</a>.)<br />
<br />
15. The McGuinty Workers Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) Tax Increase - Where Dalton McGuinty's Government allowed the WSIB to mismanage itself so horribly, that after years of lax controls, the WSIB had to increase rates on Ontario Businesses in order to recover from its failures. (See: <a href="http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101231/101231_new_year_changes?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">CTV: New Year brings hydro rebates in Ontario plus higher EI and CPP premiums</a> and <a href="http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=38921" target="_blank">Northbay's The Bay Today: CFIB blasts the WSIB’s hike in payroll taxes</a>.)<br />
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16. The McGuinty Nanticoke Coal Power Plant Shutdown Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty, in the election in 2003, promised then to shut down all Coal Power Plants by 2007, and then later admitted to breaking that promise, and instead said they would all be shutdown by 2009. Now, in prep for the 2011 election, McGuinty is saying that all Coal Power Plants will be shutdown by 2014! Yet another blatant lie and broken promise by Dalton McGuinty against Ontario Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2006/11/16/coal-responsibility.html" target="_blank">CBC: McGuinty takes blame for broken promise on coal plant closures</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/lorrie_goldstein/2011/03/04/17500101.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Dalton McGuinty’s mind games: Goldstein</a>.)<br />
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17. The McGuinty Caledonia Scandal - Where the McGuinty Government has been turning a blind eye to an illegal protection racket run by militant natives who have assaulted citizens and police officers, and Dalton McGuinty has prevented them from taking back control of Caledonia, all for the fear of another Ipperwash type scandal (see: <a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FIpperwash_Crisis&rct=j&q=ipperwash&ei=4Ip_TeCyKu230QHL2vT1CA&usg=AFQjCNHSKJxCrq3XicUa716_7VwsijlI1w&cad=rja" target="_blank">Ipperwash Crisis - Wikipedia</a>). McGuinty has once again turned his back on Ontario Working Families, this time those living in Caledonia. (See: <a href="http://www.caledoniawakeupcall.com/updates/080117post3.html" target="_blank">National Post: Caledonia redux</a> and <a href="http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/01/19/national-post-editorial-on-dalton-mcguinty-s-caledonia-policy-the-coward-at-queen-s-park.aspx" target="_blank">National Post editorial on Dalton McGuinty's Caledonia policy: 'The coward at Queen's Park'</a>.)<br />
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18. The McGuinty G20 Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty implemented illegal regulations to enable the police to detain people during Toronto's G20 summit without cause. Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin said in regards to the McGuinty Government's G20 actions, "For the citizens of Toronto, the days up to and including the (June 26-27) weekend of the G20 will live in infamy as a time period where martial law set in in the city of Toronto, leading to the most massive compromise of civil liberties in Canadian history". (See: <a href="http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/en/media/ombudsman-in-the-news/2010/g20-law-was-%27massive%27-breach-of-rights-marin-says.aspx" target="_blank">OmbudsmanOntario.on.ca: G20 law was 'massive' breach of rights, Marin says (Toronto Star)</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/945867" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Report details ‘shocking’ abuses at G20 summit</a>.)<br />
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19. The McGuinty Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) Review Delay Until After October Election - Where Dalton McGuinty purposely delayed the Auditor's review of McGuinty's much-loved LHINs, who via freedom of information inquiries has been found to be yet another eHealth type fiasco. The LHIN scandal is different in that many of the findings from the report happened after McGuinty implemented regulations to stop further eHealth type fiascoes. Where McGuinty has been protected before by saying these scandals happened before these new regulations, the LHIN scandals happened afterward, proving the continued complete lack of oversight and mismanagement by Dalton McGuinty of Ontario Working Families' tax dollars. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2010/08/12/mcguinty-lhin.html" target="_blank">CBC: McGuinty says LHINs can do better </a> and <a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2010/30/c6461.html" target="_blank">Newswire.ca: McGuinty Blocks LHIN Review to Hide Another eHealth-Style Insider Scandal</a>.)<br />
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20. The McGuinty Government has made Ontario Tuition Fees the highest in Canada - Ontario College/University Tuition fees have skyrocketed under Dalton McGuinty to become the highest in Canada, again making life extremely hard for Ontario's Working Families to send their children for post-secondary education. (See: <a href="http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100916/100916_tuition/20100916/?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">CP24: Ontario university students paying highest tuition fees in Canada</a>.)<br />
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21. The McGuinty Foreign Scholarships Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty, after continuously raising College/University Tuitions for Ontario students and making Ontario Tuitions the highest in Canada, then goes and gives free scholarships to foreign students. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/2010/11/05/15990656.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Don't send our scholarships to China: Zimonjic</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/11/06/16002986.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: PCs would flunk plan to fund foreign students</a>.)<br />
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22. The Dalton McGuinty Auto Insurance Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty promised to reduce Auto Insurance rates by 10% during the 2003 election, he instead has done the exact opposite increasing Auto Insurance rates in Ontario to skyrocketing heights, and at the same time has allowed the reduction of insurance coverage with those new higher rates. Yet another blow to Ontario Working Families by the Dalton McGuinty Government. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2010/07/16/14740596.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: McGuinty's insurance debacle</a> and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/new-auto-insurance-rules-in-ontario/article1692647/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: New auto insurance rules in Ontario</a>.)<br />
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23. The Dalton McGuinty Eco-Fee Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty snuck in an Eco Tax along with the HST, and after outrage in Ontario from Ontario Working Families, along with a completely failed implementation by the Ontario Stewardship, he back-pedaled on the new (supposedly necessary as per McGuinty) tax. (See: <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/07/20/ontario-dropping-eco-fee/" target="_blank">National Post: Poor communication blamed for failed Ontario eco fee</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/07/20/14772246.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Eco fees recycled</a>.)<br />
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24. The Dalton McGuinty Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) - Where Dalton McGuinty imposed yet another tax, this time a massive tax that was applied on almost everything including: Home Heating Costs, Gasoline, Natural Gas, Electricity, Tobacco, Quit Smoking Aids, Newspaper/Magazine subscriptions, Fast Food (over $4), New Homes (over $400,000), Vitamins, Used Vehicles, Internet Access, Airfare, Bus fare, Taxi Fares, Haircuts, Hotels, Legal Services, Gym Memberships, Accountants, Real Estate Commissions, Lawn Care and Landscaping, Dry Cleaning, Snow Removal, Campsites, Audio Books, Home Renovations, Massage Therapy, Green fees for golf, Live Theatre, Hockey Rink fees and Hall rentals, Funeral Services, Fitness Trainer, Esthetician Services, Hunting and Fishing Licenses. This is how Dalton McGuinty helps Ontario's Working Families, by increasing taxes on everything they depend on to survive. (See: <a href="http://www.daltonsalestax.com/hst-news/" target="_blank">Dalton Sales Tax - Dalton's Sales Tax on Everything - HST News</a> and <a href="http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/taxable.html" target="_blank">Ontario Ministry of Revenue: What's Taxable Under the HST and What's Not?</a>.)<br />
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25. The Dalton McGuinty Smart Meters Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty forced Ontarians to have so-called "Smart Meters" installed which impose Time-of-use pricing on Ontario's Working Families. The Time-of-use pricing is forcing Ontario Working Families to do their dishes at midnight, their laundry at 3am, and ensure to get their kids dressed and off to school before 7am in the morning, if Ontario Families don't want their electricity bills to skyrocket. The Smart Meters have cost Ontarians $1 Billion to implement, and have failed to provide the cost savings that they were touted to be able to do originally (even when Ontarians abide by the time-of-use recommendations). Not only is this hurting Ontario's Working Families, but it is making life impossible and completely unaffordable for Ontario's Seniors. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/business/cleanbreak/article/949116--what-s-the-return-on-1-billion-smart-meter-investment" target="_blank">Toronto Star: What’s the return on $1 billion smart meter investment?</a> and <a href="http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/03/11/lawrence-solomon-mcguintys-reality/" target="_blank">Financial Post: Lawrence Solomon: McGuinty’s reality</a>.)<br />
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26. The Dalton McGuinty Skyrocketing Hydro Rates and disgraceful 10% so-called rebate Scandal - Under Dalton McGuinty, Ontario's Working Families have seen their Hydro rates skyrocket, firstly because of McGuinty's failed Green Energy experiments, second because of bloated Unionized Workers wages and benefits, and third because again of severe mismanagement by the McGuinty Government. As if the constant increases Ontario Working Families have already seen aren't enough, his Government has provided another low-ball estimate of rates rising another 46% over the next 5 years. Obviously this is just a pre-election number that will most likely increase 10 times over after the election. In addition, Dalton added his HST on top of these increasing rates, adding another 8% on top! Then, in order to manipulate Ontario's Working Families, McGuinty gave back a 10% rebate (for 5 years only mind-you), and made sure to glorify it on Ontarians' Hydro Bills, in yet another disgraceful attempt to manipulate Ontario's Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/11/18/16204611.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Expect a 46% hydro rate hike</a> and <a href="http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/100628--hydro-rates-set-to-skyrocket-over-next-five-years" target="_blank">CityTV: Hydro Rates Set To Skyrocket Over Next Five Years</a>.)<br />
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27. The Dalton McGuinty Offshore Wind Turbines Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty forced Ontarians to accept that Offshore Wind Turbines would be created, completely dismissing health concerns raised by Ontario Working Families (citing studies that had been done which proved the contrary), and now just before an election he suddenly says that they are postponing it to perform a study on their safety? Typical McGuinty. Not only did McGuinty hurt Ontario Working Families with this flip-flop, he also hurt Ontario Businesses who invested in this technology only to see it scrapped, and also weakened Ontario's Global Reputation as it can no longer be trusted to follow through on its initiatives. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/02/15/ontario-wind-farms.html?ref=rss" target="_blank">CBC: Wind farm decision not election-related: McGuinty</a> and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/ontarios-wind-power-flip-flop-draws-ire/article1910439/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: Ontario’s wind power ‘flip-flop’ draws ire</a>.)<br />
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28. The Dalton McGuinty Green Energy Strategy for Solar Power in Rural Ontario Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty offered Ontario Working Families in Rural Ontario 80 cents per kWh if they implemented small solar power installations on their properties, only to renege on that deal and chop that rate to 58.8 cents, after many Ontarians already invested in the technology... Suddenly Ontario Working Families won't get that return on investment in the time they were told. Now Ontarians are looking at timelines of over a decade, and still after this latest price change, that is not even certain. In addition to the rate slashing, many Rural Ontarians are now being told that their contracts can no longer be fulfilled, after they've invested their retirement incomes into these Solar Power Systems. This is how Dalton McGuinty protects Ontario's Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/connie_woodcock/2010/07/09/14665841.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Dalton McGuinty 's solar chop: Woodcock</a>, <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/ontarios-search-for-a-solar-system/article1919546/singlepage/#articlecontent" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: Ontario's search for a solar system</a> and <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/02/24/ontario-green-projects.html" target="_blank">CBC: Ont. goes ahead with large green energy projects</a>.)<br />
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29. The Dalton McGuinty Samsung Deal Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty awarded the Korean Conglomerate Samsung with "the mother of all sole-sourced untendered contracts", a sweetheart deal worth $7 Billion to develop Green Energy Technology in Ontario. In exchange for the deal, Samsung will get Ontarians to pay significantly higher feed-in-tariff energy rates for the next 25 years. Is this looking out for Ontario Working Families? What about looking out for Ontario businesses that could have done the same work that Samsung is being allowed? (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/753609" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Tories seek probe into $7B green energy deal</a> and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-samsung-in-7-billion-deal-for-green-energy/article1439002/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: Ontario's green deal raises ire of energy developers</a>.)<br />
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30. The Dalton McGuinty Ontario Sunshine List's Skyrocketing Total Membership Scandal - Where under Dalton McGuinty, the number of Ontario Public Sector workers making $100,000 or more has skyrocketed from just over 12,000 members in 2003, to a whopping 63,371 in 2009, or in total, an over 500% increase while Dalton McGuinty has been Premier. And Ontario's Working Families wonder how taxes seem to constantly rise under Dalton McGuinty while the services provided in return are decreasing, because in addition to his Government's countless failures (see the 29 points above), he still finds a way to give them raises and push them into the six-figure salary range. Meanwhile, Ontario Working Families pick up the bill and can't afford to live. This is how Dalton McGuinty protects Ontario's Working Families? (See: <a href="http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/647918871.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+01%2C+2003&author=Richard+Brennan&pub=Toronto+Star&%0A%0Adesc=Strike+overtime+helps+pad+province%27s+%24100%2C000+club+%3B+More+than+12%2C000+on+%27sunshine%27+list+Hospital+network+CEO+highest+paid&pqatl=google" target="_blank">Toronto Star Clipping from 2003: Strike overtime helps pad province's $100,000 club ; More than 12,000 on 'sunshine' list; Hospital network CEO highest paid</a> and <a href="http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100331/100331_sunshine/20100331/?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">CTV: AGO gallery CEO is No. 3 on province's sunshine list</a>.)<br />
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After these 30 examples of failures by the Dalton McGuinty Ontario Liberal Government, you would think that this would be it, but truthfully, there are many, many, many more examples of his failures that have cost Ontario's Working Families their entire livelihood.<br />
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Again, if you feel that I have missed any Scandals, Broken Promises or New Taxes/Fees, please feel free to add a comment describing the Scandal, and also providing any supporting websites that readers can visit to get further details.<br />
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Also, below I've listed some of my other related previous posts that you may find useful in prep for this year's coming Provincial Election:<br />
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<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/12/reminder-dalton-mcguintys-2003-2007.html" target="_blank">Reminder: Dalton McGuinty's 2003 & 2007 Election Promises/Platforms</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/disgraceful-working-families-coalition.html" target="_blank">Disgraceful "Working Families Coalition" Defines Anti-Family in Ontario...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/premier-dalton-mcguinty-hilariously.html" target="_blank">Premier Dalton McGuinty Hilariously Promises No New Taxes if Reelected!</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/ontario-liberal-machine-working.html" target="_blank">Ontario Liberal Machine Working Overtime To Restrain Ford Nation...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/ontario-every-child-should-be-treated.html" target="_blank">Ontario: Every Child Should Be Treated Equally, Especially in Education...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/rob-ford-will-end-dalton-mcguintys.html" target="_blank">Rob Ford Will End Dalton McGuinty's Reign For Snubbing Toronto Again</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/01/baby-boomers-will-revolt-against.html" target="_blank">Baby Boomers Will Revolt Against McGuinty Liberals in 2011 Ontario Election</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/01/dalton-mcguintys-energy-policy-costs.html" target="_blank">Dalton McGuinty's Energy Policy Costs Ontario 1680% Extra for Electricity!</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/12/mcguinty-government-fails-ontarians.html" target="_blank">The McGuinty Government Fails Ontarians With Mental Health Issues...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/12/tim-hudak-to-scrap-dalton-mcguintys-eco.html" target="_blank">Tim Hudak to Scrap Dalton McGuinty's Eco Fees When Elected in 2011!!</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/10/george-smitherman-caused-ontarios.html" target="_blank">McGuinty's Former Deputy Premier George Smitherman Caused Ontario's Skyrocketing Electricity Rates...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/ontario-eco-fees-fail-to-divert.html" target="_blank">Ontario Eco Fees FAIL to Divert Hazardous Materials from Landfills...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/07/eco-fees-trashed-another-mcguinty.html" target="_blank">Eco Fees Trashed! Another McGuinty Government Fiasco...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/07/mcguinty-pushing-all-ontario-ministries.html" target="_blank">McGuinty Pushing All Ontario Ministries to Add More Fees</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/beware-of-dalton-mcguinty-hst.html" target="_blank">Beware of the Dalton McGuinty HST Manipulation Machine...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/04/mcguinty-screws-natives-with-hst-and.html" target="_blank">McGuinty Screws the Natives with HST and Blames the Feds??</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/04/mcguinty-re-election-in-2011-15-hst-in.html" target="_blank">McGuinty Re-Election in 2011 = 15% HST in Ontario... Bet on it!!</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/2010-ontario-sunshine-list-is-out-heres.html" target="_blank">The 2010 Ontario Sunshine List is Out! Here's The Link...</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/02/mcguintys-campaign-of-hst-manipulation.html" target="_blank">McGuinty's Campaign of HST Manipulation has Begun..</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/02/mcguinty-burns-another-16-million-on.html" target="_blank">McGuinty burns another $1.6 Million on HST Manipulation..</a><br />
<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/01/dalton-mcguinty-is-burrying-ontario.html" target="_blank">Dalton McGuinty is Burrying Ontario...</a><br />
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Ontarians, it's time that we remove this Dalton McGuinty Ontario Liberal cancer that is killing our families, and get back to a time of prosperity and happiness for Ontario. Do the right thing this October and please go out there and vote! It has never been so important.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank">Joshua Sherurcij</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-8309174573757562742011-03-15T15:05:00.005-04:002011-03-28T10:05:08.727-04:00Disgraceful "Working Families Coalition" Defines Anti-Family in Ontario...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDvEYrx1sSoHvqkZ0SbBIeVbIo3o6NgpqvCVmUB6SNabEX1y2gClSVO9h0Q8QypnV0yGqSprjpWH6CXHQNI1jEl7EtSQPZUDPvgqh88Tu5OFm86g_apN_zDIzmKoJpcTgddmkpxxg9WDg/s1600/WorkingFamiliesCoalition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDvEYrx1sSoHvqkZ0SbBIeVbIo3o6NgpqvCVmUB6SNabEX1y2gClSVO9h0Q8QypnV0yGqSprjpWH6CXHQNI1jEl7EtSQPZUDPvgqh88Tu5OFm86g_apN_zDIzmKoJpcTgddmkpxxg9WDg/s640/WorkingFamiliesCoalition.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It looks like the <a href="http://www.workingfamilies.ca/about.html" target="_blank">Working Families Coalition</a>, a Union-backed Ontario Liberal Party front (see: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2011/03/04/17500486.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Using Oscar for special attack: Blizzard</a>), have kicked off their illegal campaign of slander and manipulation against all parties that are not Liberal in Ontario (see: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/953382--attack-ads-paint-hudak-as-bay-street-stooge?bn=1" target="_blank">Attack ads paint Hudak as Bay Street stooge</a>), a well known tactic that they became famous for during the 2003 and 2007 Ontario Provincial Elections.<br />
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This disgraceful and unethical so-called "Working Families" Coalition has no interest in protecting Ontario's Working Families (as much as they would try to have you believe). No, they more accurately look to protect the corrupt and wasteful Unions in Ontario, with their six-figure-salary-earning Union Bosses, their drastically-overly-high wages for their Union Members, unprecedented pensions and benefits that are far above-and-beyond any kind of industry standard that <i>true</i> Ontario "Working Families" receive, and unfair and unrealistic jobs-for-life contract clauses that are bankrupting Ontario, eroding our services, and were obtained through corrupt workers strikes that withheld necessary services from Ontario's families.<br />
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Unfortunately, the truth is that the "Families" that the so-called "Working Families Coalition" are trying to protect, are not the same types of "Families" that include mothers, fathers and children. No, this Coalition is looking to protect an entirely different type of "Family". (And I'll just stop there out of the fear of a violent response from this Coalition's "Family" connections...)<br />
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Aside from the obvious reasons to fear this type of Corrupt Coalition in Ontario, another horrifying prospect is the underlying connections between this "Family" Coalition and the Ontario Liberal Party, not to mention their "Family Boss", Dalton McGuinty.<br />
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While Ontario's <i>true</i> "Working Families" have been struggling to survive under this scandal-plagued tax-and-waste McGuinty Liberal Government, the Ontario Unions have been living it up on a honeymoon that has been going on ever since he took office 8 years ago. Never has Ontario seen so many scandals after scandals after scandals after scandals, all the while increasing taxes at a record rate to cover these scandals of corruption overseen by the McGuinty Government. The McGuinty Government along with their Union buddies have effectively turned Ontario into a have-not province, and have left <i>true</i> Ontario Working Families starving and out in the cold.<br />
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If you live in Ontario, it's been impossible to miss the countless broken promises, scandals and new taxes that Dalton McGuinty has imposed on Ontarians; broken promises, scandals and new taxes that the "Working Families Coalition" is fighting to protect. Here are just a few examples:<br />
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1. The McGuinty Ontario Health Premium - The highest tax increase in Ontario's history, implemented months after Dalton McGuinty was elected in 2003 on a promise to not increase taxes (even after signing a contract with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to not increase taxes). McGuinty justified his healthcare tax increase on Ontario's Working Families by saying that he inherited an unknown deficit from the previous Government, yet here we stand today in Ontario with the highest deficit that Ontario has ever had, literally multiplied by the McGuinty Government and Ontario's Unions. This was the first tax of many new taxes and user fees that Dalton McGuinty has imposed on Ontario's Working Families in order to support his Union Boss buddies and allow the scandalous corruption to continue. (See: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/archives/article783867.ece" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: The health care premium</a>).<br />
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2. The McGuinty Delisting of OHIP Covered Necessary Health Services - Where after Dalton McGuinty promised not to decrease any health services covered by OHIP, and also not to raise taxes, he did both on the same day by implementing the Ontario Health Premium and delisting coverage of Optometry (Eye), Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Services for Ontarians. (See: <a href="http://www.cancer.nt.ca/Ontario/About%20us/Media%20centre/OD-Media%20releases/Mixed%20reaction%20to%20McGuinty%20governments%20budget%20Canadian%20Canc%0A%0Aer%20Society.aspx?sc_lang=en" target="_blank">Canadian Cancer Care Society: Mixed reaction to McGuinty government’s budget</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/OntarioElection/article/260657" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Hampton pledges to pay for delisted health services</a>.)<br />
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3. The McGuinty eHealth Scandal - That cost Ontario's Working Families a Billion dollars in wasted tax dollars (and unprecedented delays in the computerization of Ontario's health records), and is a true definition of "gravy", a term that defines McGuinty's wasteful mismanagement of the Ontario Government. Here we stand years after this initiative started and Billions of dollars in the hole, and still it is not completed. "eHeatlh" has now become a term that is synonymous with scandal, waste and boondoggle. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/703083" target="_blank">Toronto Star: EHealth operation bled $1B</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/topic/News-Ontario-eHealth" target="_blank">Toronto Star - Coverage of eHealth Ontario</a>.)<br />
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4. The McGuinty Slush Fund Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty's Government gave $32 Million to Liberal friendly groups (in the form of Government Grants) over a 2 years span with no formal application process and no accountability for how the money would be spent. Just, "here you go, vote Liberal!" (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/208203" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Insults and accusations fly in Ontario 'slush fund' affair</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/206442" target="_blank">Toronto Star: New charges fuel 'slush fund' scandal</a>.)<br />
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5. The McGuinty Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Scandal - Where on the McGuinty Government's watch, there were multiple accounts of catastrophic corruption related to Lottery Winnings being stolen from Ontario families by Lottery Retailers, countless OLG insider wins, Ontario family tax dollars being corruptly given out via sole-sourced untendered contracts to Liberal friendly firms, and massive Ontario family tax dollar waste via the horrifying expenses by OLG staff again allowed by the McGuinty Government (in exactly the same way it was allowed in eHealth). (See: <a href="http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090831/OLG_changes_090831/20090831?hub=Toronto" target="_blank">CTV: Ont. gov't scrambles to control OLG scandal damage</a> and <a href="http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090831/olg_timeline_090831/20090831/?hub=TorontoNewHome" target="_blank">CTV: OLG: Billions in profits, but lots of headaches</a>.)<br />
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6. The McGuinty CancerCare Ontario Scandal - Yet another eHealth-style scandal costing Ontario Working Families millions of dollars. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2009/10/07/cancer-care-ontario.html" target="_blank">CBC: Cancer Care Ontario broke rules: audit</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/10/08/11340216-sun.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: A 'scandal behind another scandal'</a>.)<br />
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7. The McGuinty Municipal Property Assessment Corp. (MPAC) Scandal - Where on the McGuinty Government's watch, Ontario Families had their homes either significantly undervalued or significantly overvalued by the MPAC, resulting in either a huge loss of their home's value, or them being significantly overcharged for property taxes. When provided the auditor's report, the MPAC rejected investigating into the issue. In addition to their failures in providing the basic service for which they are employed, they also were caught in yet another eHealth-type expense scandal. (See: <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:EUbSmgCbDngJ:www.ottawacitizen.com/story_print.html%3Fid%3D3934758%26sponsor%3D+MPAC+Scandal+Ottaw%0A%0Aa+Citizen&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.ca" target="_blank">The Ottawa Citizen: Ontario auditor-general says MPAC shortchanges homeowners, hospital wait times not improving</a> and <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/books/Ontario+Audit/3937294/story.html" target="_blank">National Post: Ontario's Audit</a>.)<br />
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8. The McGuinty Children's Aid Society (CAS) Scandal - Where on the McGuinty Government's watch, Ontario working family tax dollars that were supposed to go towards vulnerable children in Ontario, were instead squandered on Luxury Vehicles, All-Inclusive Luxury Resort Vacations to the Caribbean and other vacation destinations, Gym Memberships and Executive Allowances for CAS Management. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2006/11/30/ont-childrensaid.html" target="_blank">CBC: Ontario children's aid societies misspent money, auditors allege</a>, <a href="http://www.theinquiry.ca/CAS_scandal_011206.hide.php" target="_blank">National Post / The Ottawa Citizen: Children's Aid funds misused, auditor says</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/126640" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Opposition slams Ont. Liberals over CAS</a>.)<br />
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9. The McGuinty Tire Tax - Yet another blatant lie by Dalton McGuinty where he said he would not implement a tire tax, and then went right ahead and implemented one (calling it a fee and not a tax, as to act like he didn't lie yet again). (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/ted_woloshyn/2009/08/29/10661711-sun.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Tired of all the taxes</a> and <a href="http://www.wheels.ca/Article_Category/News_and_Features/article/549587" target="_blank">Toronto Star - Wheels.ca: Costly tire recycling plan will replace one that only needs tweaking</a>.)<br />
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10. The McGuinty Ontario Ministry of Health, Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) and Ontario Hospitals Consultant Hiring & Expenses Scandal - Where under the McGuinty Government, yet again another eHealth-type of fiasco took place, where untendered contracts were awarded to consultants and lobbyists, in addition to lax expense controls leading to lavish world-wide vacations in thousand-dollar-a-night hotels, expensive lunches and boozy dinners all paid for by Ontario's Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/878209--ontario-tightens-lobbying-rules-after-scathing-report" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Ontario tightens lobbying rules after scathing report</a> and <a href="http://www.globaltoronto.com/auditor+general+says+rules+health+consultants+still+followed/3699492/story.html" target="_blank">Global TV: Ont. auditor general says rules on health consultants still not followed</a>.)<br />
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11. The McGuinty Tax Collectors Getting $45,000 Severance Packages for switching their job titles from "Provincial" to "Federal" Scandal - Where when Dalton McGuinty implemented the HST in Ontario, he overlooked the severance packages that would be rewarded to Ontario's Tax Collectors who, though they would not be losing their jobs, would still get this massive payout from Ontario's Working Families (many of which can only dream about making $45,000 a year) for moving from the Provincial Ontario Government to the Federal Government. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/hst/article/778415--tax-collectors-get-45k-severance-keep-jobs" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Tax collectors get $45K severance, keep jobs</a>.)<br />
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12. The McGuinty Niagara Falls Commission Scandal - Yet another eHealth-type fiasco, where countless tax dollars from Ontario's Working Families were blown on fancy dinners, nights out, expensive hotels and countless other unethical expenses by Management at the Niagara Parks Commission, not to mention the usual untendered contracts and sole-sourced deals given to Liberal friends. (See: <a href="http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/276801--niagara-parks-exec-ran-up-400-000-in-expenses" target="_blank">The Hamilton Spectator: Niagara Parks exec ran up $400,000 in expenses</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2010/12/02/16408316.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Call in the auditor!: Blizzard</a>.)<br />
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13. The McGuinty General Motors Auto Pensions Bailout - Where Dalton McGuinty, after rejecting for years that Ontario taxpayers wouldn't be expected to bail out the GM Pensions (as many Ontarians don't have pensions themselves), Dalton McGuinty like usual, went ahead and broke that promise and provided Ontario Working Family tax dollars to GM to bail out their auto pensions. (See: <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1651485" target="_blank">National Post: Canada may hold stake in GM until 2018</a>.)<br />
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14. The McGuinty Nortel Pensions Bailout - Where again, Dalton McGuinty for years said that Ontario taxpayers shouldn't be expected to bailout the pensions of private companies, as many Ontarians don't have pensions themselves, went ahead and bailed out Nortel's workers' pensions in an effort to buy votes for a by-election. (See: <a href="http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/69629--mcguinty-shrugs-off-accusations-of-vote-buying-with-nortel-pension-guarantee" target="_blank">CityTV: McGuinty Shrugs Off Accusations Of Vote-Buying With Nortel Pension Guarantee</a>.)<br />
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15. The McGuinty Workers Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) Tax Increase - Where Dalton McGuinty's Government allowed the WSIB to mismanage itself so horribly, that after years of lax controls, the WSIB had to increase rates on Ontario Businesses in order to recover from its failures. (See: <a href="http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101231/101231_new_year_changes?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">CTV: New Year brings hydro rebates in Ontario plus higher EI and CPP premiums</a> and <a href="http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=38921" target="_blank">Northbay's The Bay Today: CFIB blasts the WSIB’s hike in payroll taxes</a>.)<br />
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16. The McGuinty Nanticoke Coal Power Plant Shutdown Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty, in the election in 2003, promised then to shut down all Coal Power Plants by 2007, and then later admitted to breaking that promise, and instead said they would all be shutdown by 2009. Now, in prep for the 2011 election, McGuinty is saying that all Coal Power Plants will be shutdown by 2014! Yet another blatant lie and broken promise by Dalton McGuinty against Ontario Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2006/11/16/coal-responsibility.html" target="_blank">CBC: McGuinty takes blame for broken promise on coal plant closures</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/lorrie_goldstein/2011/03/04/17500101.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Dalton McGuinty’s mind games: Goldstein</a>.)<br />
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17. The McGuinty Caledonia Scandal - Where the McGuinty Government has been turning a blind eye to an illegal protection racket run by militant natives who have assaulted citizens and police officers, and Dalton McGuinty has prevented them from taking back control of Caledonia, all for the fear of another Ipperwash type scandal (see: <a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FIpperwash_Crisis&rct=j&q=ipperwash&ei=4Ip_TeCyKu230QHL2vT1CA&usg=AFQjCNHSKJxCrq3XicUa716_7VwsijlI1w&cad=rja" target="_blank">Ipperwash Crisis - Wikipedia</a>). McGuinty has once again turned his back on Ontario Working Families, this time those living in Caledonia. (See: <a href="http://www.caledoniawakeupcall.com/updates/080117post3.html" target="_blank">National Post: Caledonia redux</a> and <a href="http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/01/19/national-post-editorial-on-dalton-mcguinty-s-caledonia-policy-the-coward-at-queen-s-park.aspx" target="_blank">National Post editorial on Dalton McGuinty's Caledonia policy: 'The coward at Queen's Park'</a>.)<br />
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18. The McGuinty G20 Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty implemented illegal regulations to enable the police to detain people during Toronto's G20 summit without cause. Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin said in regards to the McGuinty Government's G20 actions, "For the citizens of Toronto, the days up to and including the (June 26-27) weekend of the G20 will live in infamy as a time period where martial law set in in the city of Toronto, leading to the most massive compromise of civil liberties in Canadian history". (See: <a href="http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/en/media/ombudsman-in-the-news/2010/g20-law-was-%27massive%27-breach-of-rights-marin-says.aspx" target="_blank">OmbudsmanOntario.on.ca: G20 law was 'massive' breach of rights, Marin says (Toronto Star)</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/945867" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Report details ‘shocking’ abuses at G20 summit</a>.)<br />
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19. The McGuinty Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) Review Delay Until After October Election - Where Dalton McGuinty purposely delayed the Auditor's review of McGuinty's much-loved LHINs, who via freedom of information inquiries has been found to be yet another eHealth type fiasco. The LHIN scandal is different in that many of the findings from the report happened after McGuinty implemented regulations to stop further eHealth type fiascoes. Where McGuinty has been protected before by saying these scandals happened before these new regulations, the LHIN scandals happened afterward, proving the continued complete lack of oversight and mismanagement by Dalton McGuinty of Ontario Working Families' tax dollars. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2010/08/12/mcguinty-lhin.html" target="_blank">CBC: McGuinty says LHINs can do better </a> and <a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2010/30/c6461.html" target="_blank">Newswire.ca: McGuinty Blocks LHIN Review to Hide Another eHealth-Style Insider Scandal</a>.)<br />
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20. The McGuinty Government has made Ontario Tuition Fees the highest in Canada - Ontario College/University Tuition fees have skyrocketed under Dalton McGuinty to become the highest in Canada, again making life extremely hard for Ontario's Working Families to send their children for post-secondary education. (See: <a href="http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100916/100916_tuition/20100916/?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">CP24: Ontario university students paying highest tuition fees in Canada</a>.)<br />
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21. The McGuinty Foreign Scholarships Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty, after continuously raising College/University Tuitions for Ontario students and making Ontario Tuitions the highest in Canada, then goes and gives free scholarships to foreign students. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/2010/11/05/15990656.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Don't send our scholarships to China: Zimonjic</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/11/06/16002986.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: PCs would flunk plan to fund foreign students</a>.)<br />
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22. The Dalton McGuinty Auto Insurance Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty promised to reduce Auto Insurance rates by 10% during the 2003 election, he instead has done the exact opposite increasing Auto Insurance rates in Ontario to skyrocketing heights, and at the same time has allowed the reduction of insurance coverage with those new higher rates. Yet another blow to Ontario Working Families by the Dalton McGuinty Government. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2010/07/16/14740596.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: McGuinty's insurance debacle</a> and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/new-auto-insurance-rules-in-ontario/article1692647/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: New auto insurance rules in Ontario</a>.)<br />
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23. The Dalton McGuinty Eco-Fee Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty snuck in an Eco Tax along with the HST, and after outrage in Ontario from Ontario Working Families, along with a completely failed implementation by the Ontario Stewardship, he back-pedaled on the new (supposedly necessary as per McGuinty) tax. (See: <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/07/20/ontario-dropping-eco-fee/" target="_blank">National Post: Poor communication blamed for failed Ontario eco fee</a> and <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/07/20/14772246.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Eco fees recycled</a>.)<br />
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24. The Dalton McGuinty Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) - Where Dalton McGuinty imposed yet another tax, this time a massive tax that was applied on almost everything including: Home Heating Costs, Gasoline, Natural Gas, Electricity, Tobacco, Quit Smoking Aids, Newspaper/Magazine subscriptions, Fast Food (over $4), New Homes (over $400,000), Vitamins, Used Vehicles, Internet Access, Airfare, Bus fare, Taxi Fares, Haircuts, Hotels, Legal Services, Gym Memberships, Accountants, Real Estate Commissions, Lawn Care and Landscaping, Dry Cleaning, Snow Removal, Campsites, Audio Books, Home Renovations, Massage Therapy, Green fees for golf, Live Theatre, Hockey Rink fees and Hall rentals, Funeral Services, Fitness Trainer, Esthetician Services, Hunting and Fishing Licenses. This is how Dalton McGuinty helps Ontario's Working Families, by increasing taxes on everything they depend on to survive. (See: <a href="http://www.daltonsalestax.com/hst-news/" target="_blank">Dalton Sales Tax - Dalton's Sales Tax on Everything - HST News</a> and <a href="http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/taxable.html" target="_blank">Ontario Ministry of Revenue: What's Taxable Under the HST and What's Not?</a>.)<br />
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25. The Dalton McGuinty Smart Meters Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty forced Ontarians to have so-called "Smart Meters" installed which impose Time-of-use pricing on Ontario's Working Families. The Time-of-use pricing is forcing Ontario Working Families to do their dishes at midnight, their laundry at 3am, and ensure to get their kids dressed and off to school before 7am in the morning, if Ontario Families don't want their electricity bills to skyrocket. The Smart Meters have cost Ontarians $1 Billion to implement, and have failed to provide the cost savings that they were touted to be able to do originally (even when Ontarians abide by the time-of-use recommendations). Not only is this hurting Ontario's Working Families, but it is making life impossible and completely unaffordable for Ontario's Seniors. (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/business/cleanbreak/article/949116--what-s-the-return-on-1-billion-smart-meter-investment" target="_blank">Toronto Star: What’s the return on $1 billion smart meter investment?</a> and <a href="http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/03/11/lawrence-solomon-mcguintys-reality/" target="_blank">Financial Post: Lawrence Solomon: McGuinty’s reality</a>.)<br />
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26. The Dalton McGuinty Skyrocketing Hydro Rates and disgraceful 10% so-called rebate Scandal - Under Dalton McGuinty, Ontario's Working Families have seen their Hydro rates skyrocket, firstly because of McGuinty's failed Green Energy experiments, second because of bloated Unionized Workers wages and benefits, and third because again of severe mismanagement by the McGuinty Government. As if the constant increases Ontario Working Families have already seen aren't enough, his Government has provided another low-ball estimate of rates rising another 46% over the next 5 years. Obviously this is just a pre-election number that will most likely increase 10 times over after the election. In addition, Dalton added his HST on top of these increasing rates, adding another 8% on top! Then, in order to manipulate Ontario's Working Families, McGuinty gave back a 10% rebate (for 5 years only mind-you), and made sure to glorify it on Ontarians' Hydro Bills, in yet another disgraceful attempt to manipulate Ontario's Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/11/18/16204611.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Expect a 46% hydro rate hike</a> and <a href="http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/100628--hydro-rates-set-to-skyrocket-over-next-five-years" target="_blank">CityTV: Hydro Rates Set To Skyrocket Over Next Five Years</a>.)<br />
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27. The Dalton McGuinty Offshore Wind Turbines Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty forced Ontarians to accept that Offshore Wind Turbines would be created, completely dismissing health concerns raised by Ontario Working Families (citing studies that had been done which proved the contrary), and now just before an election he suddenly says that they are postponing it to perform a study on their safety? Typical McGuinty. Not only did McGuinty hurt Ontario Working Families with this flip-flop, he also hurt Ontario Businesses who invested in this technology only to see it scrapped, and also weakened Ontario's Global Reputation as it can no longer be trusted to follow through on its initiatives. (See: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/02/15/ontario-wind-farms.html?ref=rss" target="_blank">CBC: Wind farm decision not election-related: McGuinty</a> and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/ontarios-wind-power-flip-flop-draws-ire/article1910439/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: Ontario’s wind power ‘flip-flop’ draws ire</a>.)<br />
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28. The Dalton McGuinty Green Energy Strategy for Solar Power in Rural Ontario Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty offered Ontario Working Families in Rural Ontario 80 cents per kWh if they implemented small solar power installations on their properties, only to renege on that deal and chop that rate to 58.8 cents, after many Ontarians already invested in the technology... Suddenly Ontario Working Families won't get that return on investment in the time they were told. Now Ontarians are looking at timelines of over a decade, and still after this latest price change, that is not even certain. In addition to the rate slashing, many Rural Ontarians are now being told that their contracts can no longer be fulfilled, after they've invested their retirement incomes into these Solar Power Systems. This is how Dalton McGuinty protects Ontario's Working Families. (See: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/connie_woodcock/2010/07/09/14665841.html" target="_blank">Toronto Sun: Dalton McGuinty 's solar chop: Woodcock</a>, <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/ontarios-search-for-a-solar-system/article1919546/singlepage/#articlecontent" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: Ontario's search for a solar system</a> and <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/02/24/ontario-green-projects.html" target="_blank">CBC: Ont. goes ahead with large green energy projects</a>.)<br />
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29. The Dalton McGuinty Samsung Deal Scandal - Where Dalton McGuinty awarded the Korean Conglomerate Samsung with "the mother of all sole-sourced untendered contracts", a sweetheart deal worth $7 Billion to develop Green Energy Technology in Ontario. In exchange for the deal, Samsung will get Ontarians to pay significantly higher feed-in-tariff energy rates for the next 25 years. Is this looking out for Ontario Working Families? What about looking out for Ontario businesses that could have done the same work that Samsung is being allowed? (See: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/753609" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Tories seek probe into $7B green energy deal</a> and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-samsung-in-7-billion-deal-for-green-energy/article1439002/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail: Ontario's green deal raises ire of energy developers</a>.)<br />
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30. The Dalton McGuinty Ontario Sunshine List's Skyrocketing Total Membership Scandal - Where under Dalton McGuinty, the number of Ontario Public Sector workers making $100,000 or more has skyrocketed from just over 12,000 members in 2003, to a whopping 63,371 in 2009, or in total, an over 500% increase while Dalton McGuinty has been Premier. And Ontario's Working Families wonder how taxes seem to constantly rise under Dalton McGuinty while the services provided in return are decreasing, because in addition to his Government's countless failures (see the 29 points above), he still finds a way to give them raises and push them into the six-figure salary range. Meanwhile, Ontario Working Families pick up the bill and can't afford to live. This is how Dalton McGuinty protects Ontario's Working Families? (See: <a href="http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/647918871.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+01%2C+2003&author=Richard+Brennan&pub=Toronto+Star&%0A%0Adesc=Strike+overtime+helps+pad+province%27s+%24100%2C000+club+%3B+More+than+12%2C000+on+%27sunshine%27+list+Hospital+network+CEO+highest+paid&pqatl=google" target="_blank">Toronto Star Clipping from 2003: Strike overtime helps pad province's $100,000 club ; More than 12,000 on 'sunshine' list; Hospital network CEO highest paid</a> and <a href="http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100331/100331_sunshine/20100331/?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">CTV: AGO gallery CEO is No. 3 on province's sunshine list</a>.)<br />
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After these 30 examples of failures by the Dalton McGuinty Ontario Liberal Government, supported by the supposed "Working Families" Coalition, you would think that this would be it. But truthfully, there are many, many, many more examples of failures that have cost Ontario's <i>true</i> Working Families their entire livelihood. I think if I continue, we will all just descend into depression, so I will stop right here.<br />
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Now, with all of these broken promises, scandals and taxes, one would wonder how this coalition could be in anyway whatsoever trying to protect Ontario's Working Families. Working Families are not interested in protecting the very people who decrease their health coverage while raising their health care costs, purposely steal their hard earned tax dollars so they can go live it up at luxury resorts, thousand-dollar-a-night hotels, luxury spas, purchase luxury vehicles, have lavish parties, eat expensive dinners with expensive wine and champagne, get massages, manicures, pedicures and facials, buy flat screen TVs, video games, go to Theatre Shows, get Gym Memberships and Weekly Allowances, blow billions of dollars on failed initiatives, give millions and millions of dollars to their friends via government grants and contracts where there was no approval process and no accountability. All the while forcing Ontario's <i>true</i> Working Families to give up more and more of the money that they desperately need for them and their children to survive.<br />
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This is not a group of people looking to protect Ontario's Working Families. This Coalition is exactly the opposite of a group trying to protect Ontario's Working Families. The "Working Families" Coalition is the definition of everything that is anti-family in Ontario and they urgently need to be stopped.<br />
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The best thing that Ontario's Working Families can do to stop this corrupt "family" coalition, is to remove their "Boss" Dalton McGuinty and his party of greed and corruption from office.<br />
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This October's Provincial Election will be Ontario's <i>TRUE</i> Working Families' best and only chance to do so. <br />
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Let's finally remove this cancer that is killing our families here in Ontario.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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PS: Here is a great YouTube video that truly explains what the "Working Families" Coalition is all about, and how they work. Take a look:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/su4PwZCWUdg?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/su4PwZCWUdg?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object></div><br />
This video was a great find from the following site: <a href="http://canadaconservative.blogspot.com/2011/03/ontarios-working-families-coalition.html">Ontario's "Working Families Coalition" explained</a>. (Just giving credit where credit is due...)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robin24/5034100202/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/robin24/5034100202/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robin24/" target="_blank">Robin_24</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dalton_McGuinty_Crop_2.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank">Joshua Sherurcij</a> on Wikipedia<br />
Compilation of the above images and title artwork created by jackandcokewithalime.<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-43986681595220448502011-03-12T11:19:00.000-05:002011-03-12T11:19:49.334-05:00Torontonians Wanting To Pay More Taxes Should Be Allowed To Do So!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdzbI3cOsayJV3zErczoWEHLitYZ0rOSKQmFUmdRsFLQSTAMbgYBUBkfTvpBgexbo8fvrJOcaRfTGyDvmMSknl8ZGSOgipNogFIeinnNT8aN5QJOwWuX_iPQGTli4mnBjlhuM1eiEeMrb/s1600/TorontoCityCouncilClowns_AdamVaughGordPerks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdzbI3cOsayJV3zErczoWEHLitYZ0rOSKQmFUmdRsFLQSTAMbgYBUBkfTvpBgexbo8fvrJOcaRfTGyDvmMSknl8ZGSOgipNogFIeinnNT8aN5QJOwWuX_iPQGTli4mnBjlhuM1eiEeMrb/s640/TorontoCityCouncilClowns_AdamVaughGordPerks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Super Mayor Rob Ford fights every day to help out the taxpayers in this city, and every day he is opposed by leftist elitist scumbags like Toronto City Councillors Adam Vaughan and Gord Perks, who try to do everything they can to continue to increase taxes on Torontonians, all the while pushing for further reckless spending and lack of accountability for Toronto's various Departments and arms-length agencies.<br />
<br />
Reminder: Both City Councillors Adam Vaughan and Gord Perks (along with Janet Davis, Pam McConnell, Joe Mihevc, and Sarah Doucette) voted against repealing the Toronto Personal Vehicle Tax (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/12/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-successfully.html" target="_blank">Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Successfully Abolished the Personal Vehicle Tax!</a>), and I say, if they want their constituents to pay the tax, then let their constituents have the choice to do so!<br />
<br />
If they also want their constituents to pay the Land Transfer Tax (after Mayor Ford repeals it too), then I say let them have the option to do that as well!<br />
<br />
As a severely over-taxed Toronto taxpayer, I am more than happy to have people who feel like they have so much money that they don't know what to do with it, to please feel free to go ahead and cut a cheque to the City of Toronto. In fact, feel free to setup a pre-authorized debit or a direct garnisheeing of your wages for whatever percentage you like, the higher the better, to the City of Toronto. Go right ahead!! In fact, I implore you to do so. Please!!<br />
<br />
While you're at it, for those who want to increase taxes to further fund the Arts and Culture in this City, feel free to again, cut a cheque to the City of Toronto! Go right ahead!<br />
<br />
You want to pay an additional tax on gas, cut a cheque to the City of Toronto.<br />
<br />
You want to add a 1% sales tax to everything in Toronto, cut a cheque to the City of Toronto.<br />
<br />
Now, I, unlike the majority of constituents in Adam Vaughan's and Gord Perks' Wards (or at least those that voted for those two morons), don't have even one additional penny that I can spare to give towards additional taxes and fees, and therefore, when I see scandals like the one uncovered recently at the TCHC, I get absolutely furious as I could have used those tax dollars that I gave up for a million other things that I desperately need.<br />
<br />
But again, if there are some Torontonians out there who have that great problem of their wallets and bank accounts being too fat, then feel free to lose some of that weight by passing that cash on to the City of Toronto. I mean, you have no problem trying to force ALL Torontonians to do so, so why not start with yourselves as a symbol, then maybe if the rest of Toronto sees your point (LOL!!), they may contribute as well. No, really. Seriously! ;)<br />
<br />
I mean, who am I to tell you how to spend <i>your</i> money? Though obviously you elitists are not extending me and the rest of Torontonians the same courtesy.<br />
<br />
Here's the related story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/03/08/17538006.html" target="_blank">Vehicle tax rebate returned to city</a><br />
<blockquote>Councillor Adam Vaughan handed in an anonymous resident’s car tax refund cheque to the city treasurer on Tuesday during the morning session of city council.<br />
<br />
“I’m being told I’m about to receive more of these cheques,” Vaughan told council before asking staff for direction.<br />
<br />
Council voted 39-6 in December to eliminate the $60 per year, per car tax effective Jan. 1. Around 147,000 refund cheques started going out last month to residents who had already paid the tax for 2011.<br />
<br />
Vaughan — no fan of Ford — was one of the six councillors to vote against scrapping the tax.<br />
<br />
Reading from the resident’s letter, Vaughan managed to deliver some shots at the mayor.<br />
<br />
“I believe you, as my city councillor, is in the best position to raise questions on the irresponsible fiscal management the city’s current administration seems bent on pursuing,” Vaughan read. “In Toronto, a city choked by traffic, we may need better and different services, what we don’t need is to erode municipal finances by catering to car owners while underfunding public transit.”<br />
<br />
Vaughan asked what the process is when councillors receive cheques from what he said appears to be a campaign to return the PVT to the city.<br />
<br />
City staff informed Vaughan they just need the cheque and the letter and they would issue a receipt.</blockquote><br />
Idiots...I mean, er..respectable Torontonians...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Feel free to also give your money to me! I'll take it! Just click on that link on the right over there under the title that says "Buy Me A Drink?", and feel free to contribute as much or as little as you like! I could sure use it, and rest assured, you can feel very good about yourself after doing so. Believe me. It's true. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Adam Vaughan: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Vaughan_2007.JPG" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Vaughan_2007.JPG</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank">Joshua Sherurcij</a> on Wikipedia<br />
Gord Perks: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gord_Perks_at_his_Campaign_Launch.jpg" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gord_Perks_at_his_Campaign_Launch.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Abebenjoe" target="_blank">Abebenjoe</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-60322168976618349172011-03-12T09:50:00.000-05:002011-03-12T09:50:46.327-05:00Ohio Union-Busting Displays Steps Needed To End Ontario & Toronto Unions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREZxsCA8x_Y2XR7Am7N1Nmr5kzhtvFz8SLq8abhJ6LA6h6_S33oajCY5kmVrHBmQfxG1p4avKW8vACMI0TWbeLEnCZN41pZy76UyrH37RKKD5Hy00naYFcEGUelYUn6vSYnUaAjG8JTUg/s1600/TorontoGarbageStrike_by_TorontoCityLife_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREZxsCA8x_Y2XR7Am7N1Nmr5kzhtvFz8SLq8abhJ6LA6h6_S33oajCY5kmVrHBmQfxG1p4avKW8vACMI0TWbeLEnCZN41pZy76UyrH37RKKD5Hy00naYFcEGUelYUn6vSYnUaAjG8JTUg/s640/TorontoGarbageStrike_by_TorontoCityLife_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It is no surprise that the Public Sector Unions in Ontario and Toronto specifically have gone completely out of control. Unions use to be about protecting the rights of workers, but everyone knows that is no longer the case (no matter what the Unionists will tell you).<br />
<br />
No, in today's world, Public Sector Unions are all about unfairly blackmailing the taxpayers and forcing us to pay bloated and fat wages, provide over-the-top benefits, and submitting to implement jobs-for-life types of clauses for these horrifyingly over-compensated Union workers and their Union Leaders, leading the Province and City to having astronomical deficits and a resultant relentless never-ending attack on the taxpayer of tax increase after tax increase after tax increase.<br />
<br />
Public Leaders like Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, and former Toronto Mayor David Miller, instead of protecting the taxpayers against these Unions, actually gave the Unions more power, all in the name of getting their backing in their respective elections. Their <i>scumbag moves</i> in this regard are costing the taxpayers dearly.<br />
<br />
Now, every single time the topic of Busting the Unions comes up, we are told by various left-wing sources and Union sympathizers that it's just not possible, the Unions are protected by legislation and yada yada, it just can't happen. Well, tell that to the taxpayers in Ohio, whose Republican Governor John Kasich has turned the Ohio Public Sector Unions on their heads. You see, Leaders who truly do care about their taxpayers will find a way to protect them, as is their mandate.<br />
<br />
Ontario, after McGuinty is tossed, and Toronto, now that we have a <i>true</i> leader in Super Mayor Rob Ford, both have a great example in Ohio on how to end Unions in their respective jurisdictions, and the steps to do so are simple.<br />
<br />
Step 1: Remove the Right to Strike from the Unions (by declaring them essential or etc.).<br />
Step 2: Remove the Independant Arbitrators from the equation, and leave the final arbitration decisions in the hands of our elected political leaders.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/950648--walkom-a-lesson-for-ontario-in-sneaky-union-busting" target="_blank">Walkom: A lesson for Ontario in sneaky union-busting</a><br />
<blockquote>Canadian labour has its eyes firmly fixed on Wisconsin, where right-wing Republican governor Scott Walker hopes to destroy the state’s public sector unions.<br />
<br />
Unions here — both private and public — worry that Canadian governments might follow suit. Some have sent members to monitor the Wisconsin struggle.<br />
<br />
But the real model for Canadian governments interested in gutting trade unions may not be Wisconsin. It could be Ohio. The state senate there has just passed a bill that, in effect, hands over all labour arbitration decisions involving public workers directly to the governments that employ them.<br />
<br />
Or, to put it another way, the Ohio bill would give public sector bosses the right to unilaterally determine how much their workers are paid, what kind of benefits they receive and how many hours a day they work.<br />
<br />
There hasn’t been as much attention paid to Ohio’s attack on labour. Its Republican governor, John Kasich, is not as bumptious as Wisconsin’s Walker.<br />
<br />
But the Ohio remedy has the virtue of being sneakier. And that may appeal to Canadian politicians, particularly in Ontario.<br />
<br />
The key is control over arbitration. Public sector workers deemed essential are already denied the right to strike in Canadian provinces. In Ontario, essential workers include police, nurses and hospital employees.<br />
<br />
Queen’s Park, at the request of Toronto council, is preparing to add the city’s transit workers to the list.<br />
<br />
But being denied the right to strike hasn’t necessarily hurt essential workers. That’s because any disputes that can’t be solved by bargaining are decided by independent arbitrators.<br />
<br />
The Ohio solution, which still has to be approved by the state’s Republican-dominated lower house, goes something like this. First, all public sector employees — from teachers to fire fighters to clerks — are deemed essential workers and denied the right to strike.<br />
<br />
Their union rights are not removed entirely. They are allowed to bargain for wages (although not for much else).<br />
<br />
However in the event of an impasse, the final decision is made not by independent arbitrators but by the workers’ politician employers — which makes the entire bargaining exercise effectively irrelevant.<br />
<br />
As my colleague Rob Benzie has reported, Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is already setting his sights on public sector arbitration. Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals might also find some version of the Ohio solution to their liking.<br />
<br />
For those who would bust unions, the elimination of independent arbitration is just as effective as the blowsier Wisconsin approach. But, done cleverly, its aim is easier to disguise.</blockquote><br />
Why do you think that TTC Union Boss Bob Kinnear was willing to give up the world to avoid having the TTC be declared essential (and have them lost their right to strike)? This is his and his Union's worst nightmare slowly coming true, step-by-step. Yes, yes... With all of the rhetoric around how making them essential would be more costly to taxpayers (which is not true anyway), people need to look at the big picture.<br />
<br />
It's time to give the power back to the taxpayers, and remove these out-of-date Unions from Ontario and Toronto. The Unions have been milking us dry for years without cause, and their honeymoon had to end sometime. We can only hope that that time is now.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/3741514124/sizes/z/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/3741514124/sizes/z/</a> by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/torontocitylife" target="_blank">torontocitylife</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-67783659162427936342011-03-12T01:21:00.001-05:002011-03-12T01:23:14.482-05:00Douchebag NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Arrogantly Dismisses Air Canada<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit1ebPMROPurcu43yEt8HMUbh-8h4VPX7_otUFesriOnm8d3XeS3Otu3sJ9Tr__qo5O01zsSoMYZiGj4HA0qT8xNreNMDqNR-w4uQJgPRofqGbica_wP1LxawMtQkC1bASSRVeFMW2plo/s1600/AirCanada_GaryBettman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit1ebPMROPurcu43yEt8HMUbh-8h4VPX7_otUFesriOnm8d3XeS3Otu3sJ9Tr__qo5O01zsSoMYZiGj4HA0qT8xNreNMDqNR-w4uQJgPRofqGbica_wP1LxawMtQkC1bASSRVeFMW2plo/s640/AirCanada_GaryBettman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After the NHL failed to properly punish Zdeno Chara for his blatantly illegal and injury-intending hit on Max Pacioretty (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/zdeno-chara-hit-on-max-pacioretty-was.html" target="_blank">Zdeno Chara Hit on Max Pacioretty Was 100% Deliberate Intent To Injure...</a>), Air Canada, one of the NHL's largest Canadian Sponsors, threatened to pull their sponsorship (see: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/see-air-canadas-letter-to-the-nhl/article1937106/" target="_blank">See Air Canada's letter to the NHL</a>), if something is not done to remedy this latest upward trend of career ending and life threatening head shots in the NHL.<br />
<br />
Garry Bettman, resident douchebag and NHL Commissioner, arrogantly dismissed Air Canada like it was nothing, telling Air Canada that if it wants to pull its sponsorship, it should go right ahead.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/951845--pacioretty-injury-horrific-but-part-of-the-game-bettman" target="_blank">Pacioretty injury horrific but part of the game: Bettman</a><br />
<blockquote>NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says there’s no need to “over-legislate” head hits.<br />
<br />
The issue has been front and centre this season, especially this week in the wake of Max Pacioretty being hospitalized with a severe concussion and fractured vertebra. The Montreal forward was slammed into a stanchion holding the glass at the Bell Centre on a hit by Bruins captain Zdeno Chara.<br />
<br />
The NHL subsequently elected not to suspend Chara.<br />
<br />
“Our hockey operations people are extraordinarily comfortable with the decision that they made,” Bettman said. “It was a horrific injury, we’re sorry that it happened in our fast-paced physical game, but I don’t think whether or not supplemental discipline was imposed would change what happened and in fact the people in the game who I have heard from almost to a person ... believe that it was handled appropriately by hockey operations.”<br />
<br />
The issue of head hits is expected to be raised again at a meeting of NHL general managers in Florida next week.<br />
<br />
As for Air Canada threatening to pull its sponsorship over such injuries, Bettman says the league can find other carriers if the airline doesn’t want its business.<br />
<br />
“Air Canada is a great brand, as is the National Hockey League, and if they decide they need to do other things with their sponsorship dollars that’s their prerogative, just like it’s the prerogative of our clubs that fly on Air Canada to make other arrangements if they don’t think Air Canada is giving them the appropriate level of service.”</blockquote><br />
With Bettman's response, Air Canada is pretty much left with no other option except to follow through on its threat, especially given the embarrassing nature of Bettman's comment.<br />
<br />
I wonder how the Canadian NHL teams are going to feel about that, given that they receive a large amount of the Air Canada sponsorship dollars coming into the NHL. Oh wait, Bettman doesn't care about the Canadian teams in the NHL... Oh, yeah...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Violence in the game might be one thing, but intent to injure is a complete other.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gary_Bettman_Crop.jpg" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gary_Bettman_Crop.jpg</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pirana/" target="_blank">captcanuk</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62067745@N00/2060079247/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/62067745@N00/2060079247/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62067745@N00/" target="_blank">WestendRaider</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-80559736841172149632011-03-12T00:18:00.005-05:002011-03-13T09:16:17.411-04:00Zdeno Chara Hit on Max Pacioretty Was 100% Deliberate Intent To Injure...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIb6lfcsZO789-EOOodlg3u9fD_ysujIVixDy9tUlz9WxHGq0NBR3pKySpf8zEwtv1eolFW6WXVAWkrqdndtdGF9MGTYcIhRmYBj7R95TiYA7iMSbzXqsoohAtXjXATzXWhDku_1pTDir/s1600/ZdenoCharaHitOnPacioretty_from_YouTube_by_halorocker465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIb6lfcsZO789-EOOodlg3u9fD_ysujIVixDy9tUlz9WxHGq0NBR3pKySpf8zEwtv1eolFW6WXVAWkrqdndtdGF9MGTYcIhRmYBj7R95TiYA7iMSbzXqsoohAtXjXATzXWhDku_1pTDir/s640/ZdenoCharaHitOnPacioretty_from_YouTube_by_halorocker465.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Anyone who says that Zdeno Chara didn't intend to do exactly what he did to Max Pacioretty, which was essentially take his head off using the glass divider on the boards, either knows nothing about hockey, or is just a blatant liar.<br />
<br />
It's not like players don't know about that glass divider. It's not like players don't slam each other into that divider all the time (though obviously not with the same criminal intent that Chara had). Ok, come on... Chara's team was down 4-0, Pacioretty didn't even have the puck anymore when Chara went for him, and Chara had been wanting to get revenge on Pacioretty for his shove the other night. This was his best opportunity to completely obliterate Pacioretty in pure vengeance, and he did exactly that (as was his plan).<br />
<br />
Chara should be thrown in prison for what he did, and I really don't see any difference between what he did, and what Todd Bertuzzi did to Steve Moore, except I would say that it was much worse.<br />
<br />
...Idiots <i>pretending</i> like Chara didn't intend not only to injure Pacioretty, but to absolutely destroy his life...<br />
<br />
Chara, though he may not have a history of being a dirty player, definitely was exposed to those kinds of <i>scumbag tactics</i> during his time in Ottawa with his buddy Daniel Alfredsson (one of the dirtiest players to ever play the game). As such, this move by Chara should come as no surprise.<br />
<br />
Here's the video in case you wanted to analyze it for yourself. As you will see, Chara purposely pushes Pacioretty's head into the divider (as is shown in the screenshot above from the YouTube video).<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/unZ5Iw2s-iE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: And yet again we had another catastrophic failure by an official who was standing right there and saw the entire thing... 2 minutes for interference... What a joke.<br />
<br />
PPS: Don Cherry on HNIC tonight (for the video, see: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Coach%27s_Corner/1239402029/ID=1839616999" target="_blank">Coach's Corner: March 12</a>) agreed with the NHL's decision to not suspend Chara. When it comes to hockey, I respect Don's opinion more than anyone elses (except for Mario Lemieux, who I would say I give equal weighting). All I have to say about Don's comments is that Don sees that type of hit (the turnbuckle-hit) as a normal part of the game, and he blames the arena design moreso than the intent of the player (Chara) who made the hit for the injury. Don is worried that if Chara was suspended, then next time he may refrain from making that type of hit. I completely see his point, but, just because the hit is legal, doesn't mean that Chara's intent to injure was legal as well. There's a reason why so many players get hit on the divider and don't end up with a broken neck... That's all I'm saying. Don's really just trying to protect the physical aspect of the game (which I totally understand, as it's a key part of the game), and any attempts to try and regulate it can end up in a slippery slope which may remove the physicality entirely. I completely understand that. But this argument that it's a fast paced game, and there's no way that Chara could have intended to do what he did, especially since he's been playing for 13 years and has never tried to end players' careers (as he could have been doing it left and right due to his size)....I'm not buying it. Yes it's a fast paced game, but these players are professionals at it, and have been playing at this fast pace their entire lives... Ok, so don't feed me that crap. Anyone who says that Chara didn't intend to do exactly what he did is just lying. Next, whether Chara hasn't injured anyone in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years or 50 years, when you are in the heat of the moment and you are looking for revenge, it doesn't matter what your track record is. Do murderers have their murder trials automatically dismissed because in their entire lives they've never been convicted of a crime? Come on... Give me a break.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unZ5Iw2s-iE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unZ5Iw2s-iE</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/halorocker465" target="_blank">halorocker465</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-55060072519204977792011-03-11T22:39:00.000-05:002011-03-11T22:39:16.195-05:00Disgraced TCHC Ex-CEO Derek Ballantyne Finally Tossed from Build Toronto!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpUDUdnQSyqJZVWlnP_4pqFohW7CGuRE5KHs1FpyhOdGEaeqF-fcC6dgL7hNhxWSfxyrPah3GbqtboYZS_Na3WZ-OHGw-4npE9Juls_ABeIFxeZdCNJ1Poy-RgKXHTDVvB7GLAFt0ypV6/s1600/TorontoSkylineNight_by_antkriz_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpUDUdnQSyqJZVWlnP_4pqFohW7CGuRE5KHs1FpyhOdGEaeqF-fcC6dgL7hNhxWSfxyrPah3GbqtboYZS_Na3WZ-OHGw-4npE9Juls_ABeIFxeZdCNJ1Poy-RgKXHTDVvB7GLAFt0ypV6/s640/TorontoSkylineNight_by_antkriz_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Super Mayor Rob Ford said he would deal with Toronto Community Housing Corp's ex-CEO Derek Ballantyne who led the TCHC during its scandalous years outlined in the recent scathing Auditor General's report (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/toronto-community-housing-corp-tchc.html" target="_blank">Toronto Community Housing Corp. (TCHC) Board & Staff Swam in "Gravy"</a>) and who currently is the <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:66ncYGkDhg0J:www.buildtoronto.ca/management.shtml+ballantyne&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&source=www.google.com" target="_blank">Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Operations at Build Toronto</a>, was finally today rightfully tossed in the trash from his position at Build Toronto (as Mayor Ford promised).<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/03/11/17587066.html" target="_blank">Former TCHC chief leaves Build Toronto</a><br />
<blockquote>Mayor Rob Ford is one CEO away from removing everyone he wanted to roll out in the wake of the Toronto Community Housing scandal.<br />
<br />
The former head of the TCHC, Derek Ballantyne, has left his position as COO of Build Toronto, the city-owned corporation announced Friday.<br />
<br />
“The board of directors of Build Toronto has determined that the recent allegations set out in the auditor general’s report regarding (TCHC) make it impossible for Mr. Ballantyne to continue to perform his duties for Build Toronto, whose sole shareholder is the City of Toronto,” read the statement from Blake Hutcheson, the chairman of the board.<br />
<br />
When the auditor general’s reports on TCHC were revealed last week, Ford called for the resignation of the corporation’s current CEO Keiko Nakamura and its board of directors. Asked about the fate of Ballantyne at Build Toronto, Ford said an answer on the former CEO’s fate would be coming soon and that he had “expressed his concerns” to Hutcheson.<br />
<br />
Ballantyne’s exit follows the resignation of TCHC’s seven civilian board members and two city councillors along with city council’s removal this week of the two tenant representatives and two city councillors who refused to quit.<br />
<br />
Nakamura, whose fate is still up in the air, will take orders from the lone member of the interim board, Ford’s handpicked managing director, Case Ootes.</blockquote><br />
Now only ex-COO and current CEO of the TCHC, Keiko Nakamura, remains. As soon as she finalizes her severance package with the TCHC, you can expect her to be tossed in the trash as well, and then finally the TCHC can move on from this scandal and get back to its <a href="http://www.torontohousing.ca/our-mission" target="_blank">mission</a> of "providing affordable housing, connecting tenants to services and opportunities, and working together to build healthy communities". <br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ananth/45920231/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ananth/45920231/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ananth/" target="_blank">antkriz</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-23506449631381914052011-03-11T11:27:00.000-05:002011-03-11T11:27:50.183-05:00Vietnamese Pho Soup Causes High Blood Pressure? Say It Ain't So...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDrOnlSC7uNti_LpukdsSZ4y3WdViLtHIemmYFRo7xj4quWe8bsLeg8ZVvc2SBICi613ZC64y08eFdCipSOtGElp1vsMSnNKmb0Of4_7oeptJTorNezRLsxp8I0OTHSTiZLhjAiUjafga/s1600/Pho88-PhoSate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDrOnlSC7uNti_LpukdsSZ4y3WdViLtHIemmYFRo7xj4quWe8bsLeg8ZVvc2SBICi613ZC64y08eFdCipSOtGElp1vsMSnNKmb0Of4_7oeptJTorNezRLsxp8I0OTHSTiZLhjAiUjafga/s640/Pho88-PhoSate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
As a hardcore addict of the Vietnamese Pho soup (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/01/scarboroughs-pho-88-offers-pho-sate.html" target="_blank">Scarborough's Pho 88 Offers "Pho Sate", The Best Soup in Toronto!</a>), I have to say that hearing that it is actually very high in sodium -which is a cause of High Blood Pressure- was devestating... (Please note that this is not specific to Pho 88, but applies to Pho in general.)<br />
<br />
To me, it's soup, and soup -as a general rule- is supposed to be good for you, right? Finally I find a soup that is filling, tastes absolutely amazing, and is a meal that I can have day-after-day-after-day without ever getting tired of it, and now I find out that it may be a reason why my blood pressure is a bit high, is just so depressing...<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star's Healthzone.ca:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.healthzone.ca/health/dietfitness/thedish/article/952101--the-dish-beef-pho-packs-a-sodium-punch?bn=1" target="_blank">The Dish: Beef pho packs a sodium punch</a><br />
<blockquote>Steve’s favourite pho comes from The Sprout, a neat and narrow restaurant near Yonge St. and St. Clair Ave. W. that proclaims cheerfulness with refreshing lime green decor. All a-bustle during a weekday lunch, Sprout offers up many kinds of pho. A takeout order comes quickly in two Styrofoam containers; one with noodles, a handful of sprouts and the meat or vegetable of choice, the other with steaming, savoury broth.<br />
<br />
As per Steve’s request, we tested the rare beef pho with satay sauce. He was eager — yet also afraid — to hear the results.<br />
<br />
He was right to be wary. This soup contains 644 calories, 8 grams of fat and 3,100 mg of sodium.<br />
<br />
Steve’s reaction?<br />
<br />
“Holy cow that’s a lot of sodium! The fat and calories are not too bad, a little higher than I would have liked, but wow that sodium is out of control.”<br />
<br />
Registered dietitian Carol Harrison shares the exclamation marks over the sodium.<br />
<br />
“My first thought was ‘Oh, darn!’ because I love pho,” she says. “This just seems like a gratuitous over use of salt. No meal needs that much salt to taste good.”<br />
<br />
The calories and fat are completely reasonable for a meal. No qualms there, Harrison says. But the sodium should give any diner pause before ordering this pho. The staggering 3,100 mg — more than double what your body needs in a day — forces Harrison to give this meal an emphatic two thumbs down for its poor nutrition.<br />
<br />
To help put the large sodium number into perspective, Harrison provides the following comparisons: The 3,100 mg is equivalent to 20 dashes with a salt shaker or one heaping teaspoon of salt or the sodium found in 10 small bags of potato chips.<br />
<br />
“This is why diners may feel parched after eating out. For your body to process that much sodium, you will feel a physiological response.”<br />
<br />
The high level of sodium and the refined carbohydrates in the noodles have a combined negative impact to push up blood pressure, Harrison says. She suggests diners ask for more vegetables in their pho to get more nutrients and beneficial complex carbohydrates. The beef does provide a good dose of protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins.<br />
<br />
“Sodium is an issue for everyone,” she says. “When you consume too much fat, your jeans get tight. You can feel the effects. With sodium, it’s harder to feel the negative impacts. The damage is being done inside your body, something you can’t see.”<br />
<br />
Steve says knowing the nutrition numbers of his favourite rare beef pho will help him make room for the soup in his diet. Even with its astounding amount of sodium.<br />
<br />
“Once I take the guesswork out of the equation, I can plan around it,” he says. “We’re definitely talking a sometimes food here, and I might skip the satay sauce to try and take a little bite out of that sodium.<br />
<br />
“I can see it being a little reward for myself after doing a good workout and having had a good eating week. I wouldn’t want to have it more than once a month.”<br />
<br />
VERDICT: Sodium-full pho renders it a “faux-pas.”<br />
<br />
Rare beef pho with satay sauce:<br />
Serving size: 795 grams<br />
Calories: 644<br />
Fat: 8 grams<br />
Sodium: 3,100 mg<br />
Protein: 28 grams<br />
Carbohydrates: 95 grams</blockquote><br />
<br />
Why?????!!!!!!! No!!!!!<br />
<br />
Ok, gained back my composure.<br />
<br />
I guess this means that I will be avoiding the Pho now, much to my chagrin..<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
(Images: Copyright © 2011 jackandcokewithalime All rights reserved.)</div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-89861811638420927392011-03-10T20:29:00.000-05:002011-03-10T20:29:13.335-05:00Toronto Super Mayor Rob Ford Celebrates 100 Days in Office!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcKYiOnfIM22oJ12CiO_rNn038kTW3eUCD15qH2l28wN3DOYBfeKr69Wt1zI_gArt7pj6eR0OdrgsBdfdP9_RyXNpfC4oY4imir2Ug54iUdusiy3nHv6NeIsGiUh5emKYANmZnQP_gaHc/s1600/Rob_Ford_Mayor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcKYiOnfIM22oJ12CiO_rNn038kTW3eUCD15qH2l28wN3DOYBfeKr69Wt1zI_gArt7pj6eR0OdrgsBdfdP9_RyXNpfC4oY4imir2Ug54iUdusiy3nHv6NeIsGiUh5emKYANmZnQP_gaHc/s640/Rob_Ford_Mayor.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
It may be hard to believe, but it's been exactly 100 days since Super Mayor Rob Ford was elected into office as the Mayor of Toronto.<br />
<br />
Congratulations Mayor Ford on doing a phenomenal job so far for Torontonians!<br />
<br />
In your 100 days in office, you have done more for Torontonians than former Mayor David Miller did in his 2 entire terms!<br />
<br />
Here is a note from Mayor Ford along with his official press release marking this auspicious anniversary:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote>Mayor Ford celebrates 100 Days in Office!<br />
<br />
Let me begin by saying what a pleasure it has been to serve as your Mayor for the past 100 days. During the campaign, I committed to respecting your tax dollars. I want to assure you that my team and I are committed more than ever to make sure this happens.<br />
<br />
There's a lot of work to be done, but we are up to the job and hard at work.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Rob Ford<br />
<br />
P.S. Here is a news release my office sent out earlier today highlighting the accomplishments we've made in just 100 days.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.toronto.ca/mayor_ford/speeches/2011/statement-10mar11.htm" target="_blank">Mayor's Rob Ford's first 100 days mark improvements in customer service, reduced taxes and increased accountability with taxpayer dollars</a><br />
<br />
Toronto: Mayor Rob Ford's first 100 days were marked with swift action to respect taxpayers by eliminating the car tax, making services more reliable, and ensuring the staff of the City, its agencies and boards are more accountable for their actions.<br />
<br />
"Respect for taxpayers is paramount in everything the city does," said Mayor Ford. "My administration remains focused on improving customer service, making government more transparent and accountable, reducing the size and cost of government and building transportation city to reduce gridlock."<br />
<br />
In the first 100 days, under Mayor Ford's leadership, the City has:<br />
<br />
* Eliminated the $60 car tax, saving people across the City $64 million.<br />
* Passed a City budget with no increase to property taxes and no major services cuts.<br />
* Reduced the Mayor's Office budget by $700,000 and Councillors' expense budget by $900,000.<br />
* Began the process to declare the TTC an essential service, to prevent strikes and ensure the service is available to riders and to the industries they support.<br />
* Launched work on a new Transportation City plan that will make subways the backbone of rapid transit in Toronto.<br />
* Appointed a Special Arts and Culture Advisor to the Mayor.<br />
<br />
* $170,000 saved - eliminated paper news clippings, switched to electronic.<br />
* $48,000 saved - eliminated snacks at Council meetings.<br />
* $25,000 saved - Transition Team under budget.<br />
* $17,000 saved - Mayor turned down recommended pay raise.<br />
* $70,000 saved - Toronto Hospitality Fund<br />
<br />
* Initiated action to contract out the garbage collection to save taxpayers an estimated $8 million and improve customer service.<br />
* Demanded changes to the leadership at Toronto Community Housing, a City agency, after an Auditor General's Report found wasteful spending cost taxpayers an estimated $4-6 million.<br />
* Continued to act on residents' concerns and requests: in Summerlea Park the Mayor quickly secured a shelter for skaters in that park - the request from skaters was initially made more than a year ago.<br />
* Responded to concerns from residents about a new bylaw impacting driveway parking, and had them amended so they were clear and easy for residents to understand and follow.<br />
* The Green Roof Bylaw was amended to extend the exemption for industrial buildings to provide green roofs until April 2012 to allow for consultation with industrial operators about alternatives that would achieve similar benefits. <br />
* Secured new revenue from the province so that the City and Ontario Government now share the costs of welfare evenly at 50 per cent each.<br />
<br />
Significant milestones for the City have also been achieved in the last 100 days:<br />
<br />
* The City started sending all residential garbage to its Green Lane Landfill on Jan. 1, after the final truck load of garbage left for a Michigan landfill on Dec. 31, 2010.<br />
* The City's first ice skating park opened in Colonel Samuel Smith Park.<br />
* The City has established an anti-graffiti team with 10 bylaw officers from Municipal Licensing and Standards committed to this work.<br />
* Since Dec. 1, 2010 at least 5,000 residents have secured new jobs with assistance from Toronto Employment and Social Services.<br />
* Toronto secured the filming of a major movie - Total Recall. <br />
<br />
Courtesy calls in first 100 days<br />
<br />
In the last 100 days the Mayor has met the Governor General of Canada and the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, as well as a number of Consulate Generals.<br />
<br />
* December 3, 2010 - Courtesy Call with His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada<br />
* December 21, 2010 - Courtesy Call with His Excellency David C. Jacobson, US Ambassador to Canada<br />
* January 31, 2011 - Courtesy Call with Consul General Chen Ligang, The People's Republic of China Consulate General<br />
* January 31, 2011 - Courtesy Call with Consul General Mrs. Sabine Sparwasser, German Consulate General<br />
* January 31, 2011 - Courtesy Call with Consul General Mr. Jonathan Dart, British Consulate General<br />
* February 1, 2011 - Courtesy Call with the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Mayor_Ford_at_levee_2011_%281%29.jpg" target="_blank">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Mayor_Ford_at_levee_2011_%281%29.jpg</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34608255@N08" target="_blank">By The City of Toronto from Toronto, Canada (11-007-524 Uploaded by Skeezix1000) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-73162703979642523082011-03-10T18:52:00.001-05:002011-03-10T19:32:55.243-05:00Premier Dalton McGuinty Hilariously Promises No New Taxes if Reelected!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8711UNPfdYuHWsogLm_pMPiKCGC5CaH4YznzpauMGA-aEruXe0DnrxeZHPpE7QJ3mcwWXf8l50Ouk6lQIHSo8guN-H_VQTpnhK2cnF4SNMEeG5PKnXhhyphenhyphent3kZY4axDKMvFySoYuCVwtG_/s1600/DaltonMcGuintyLiar_Screenshot_JohnTory2007YouTube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8711UNPfdYuHWsogLm_pMPiKCGC5CaH4YznzpauMGA-aEruXe0DnrxeZHPpE7QJ3mcwWXf8l50Ouk6lQIHSo8guN-H_VQTpnhK2cnF4SNMEeG5PKnXhhyphenhyphent3kZY4axDKMvFySoYuCVwtG_/s640/DaltonMcGuintyLiar_Screenshot_JohnTory2007YouTube.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
All signs are now pointing to Dalton McGuinty having lost his mind, as yesterday he actually had his government announce to Ontarians with a <i>straight face</i> that he has no plans to raise taxes after this October's Ontario Provincial Election!<br />
<br />
Now, I'm not sure what's more funny... Whether McGuinty actually believes that Ontarians will believe anything that he has to say, let alone his biggest and most famous broken promise that he ever made that he would not raise taxes, or that he actually believes that he will still be in office after October?<br />
<br />
Either way, they both sound hilarious to me! :) <br />
<br />
I'm actually starting to think that maybe he's already preparing for his new career...in stand-up comedy.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/951161--liberal-government-promises-no-new-taxes" target="_blank">Liberal government promises no new taxes</a><br />
<blockquote>Ontario's Liberal government insists there will not be any tax increases in the spring budget, but the opposition parties aren't buying it.<br />
<br />
Finance Minister Dwight Duncan flatly states there will not be any new taxes or tax hikes in the budget, dismissing Opposition claims the Liberals want to introduce a carbon tax.<br />
<br />
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says the Liberals never told voters about the health tax, eco fees or the HST before they were introduced.<br />
<br />
Hudak says he's “more likely to believe Charlie Sheen is going to kick his drug habit than (Premier) Dalton McGuinty won’t raise taxes.”<br />
<br />
The New Democrats say Duncan and McGuinty can't be trusted on taxes given the Liberal's track record of breaking such promises.</blockquote><br />
For your entertainment, here is a YouTube Video from John Tory's Campaign in 2007 showing Dalton McGuinty signing the contract with the Taxpayers Federation promising to not raise taxes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LeV3AcJZsO8" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></div><br />
Next, here is a YouTube video of Dalton McGuinty admitting to breaking his promise to not raise taxes, and actually trying to explain himself:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fvqp-2FTQzc" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></div><br />
Lastly, here is a video that outlines the truth about Dalton McGuinty's HST (from Tim Hudak's Ontario PC Party):<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oHfEFnGY-NU?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oHfEFnGY-NU?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeV3AcJZsO8&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeV3AcJZsO8&feature=related</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/johntory2007" target="_blank">johntory2007</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-42236088033699041272011-03-10T15:25:00.005-05:002011-03-10T15:35:45.663-05:00Mayor Ford Defeats City Council's Shameless Left & Disposes of TCHC Board!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hC5rVHGezaGhzN74Dx6Gltxh-9t5LxIl4ryCHnc2V_cJIbxEbBpsEZYltfFC9fdvBpOlJl87ytulPxX3cd7JdWJs-wMr15RbeMylIXjPIu1Tk9fe3NK8-_2eMSY2VkuRkVzAbFHZIPcf/s1600/TCHCBoardRemovalVoteResults_March102011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hC5rVHGezaGhzN74Dx6Gltxh-9t5LxIl4ryCHnc2V_cJIbxEbBpsEZYltfFC9fdvBpOlJl87ytulPxX3cd7JdWJs-wMr15RbeMylIXjPIu1Tk9fe3NK8-_2eMSY2VkuRkVzAbFHZIPcf/s640/TCHCBoardRemovalVoteResults_March102011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Did you hear that screeching sound last night around midnight? I heard it, and I haven't heard anything so pleasant in my life... In case you're wondering, that was the sound of Toronto City Council's Left squealing as they were effectively dismissed into permanent political irrelevance by Super Mayor Rob Ford and Toronto City Council's <i>responsible</i> Councillors. Toronto City Council voted 25-18 in favour of dissolving the TCHC Board (see: <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.CC6.1" target="_blank">CC6.1 Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board of Directors</a> for the official results and further information).<br />
<br />
Last night's vote, which took place after 6 hours of shameless showboating by the likes of Adam Vaughan, Pam McConnell, Janet Davis, Gord Perks, Joe Mihevc, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Josh Matlow and Paula Fletcher (just to name a few of Toronto's tax-spend-and-waste Left who were bitching last night), was more than just the successful completion of Mayor Ford's duty as our chief defender-of-the-taxpayers to rid us of an irresponsible TCHC Board (though admittedly, Maria Augimeri and Raymond Cho really did not take part in the scandal, and should be reinstated, though after their recent behaviour I wouldn't be surprised if they're not), but also added the icing to the cake by essentially displaying that our Council's Left Wing truly has no power anymore at City Hall, and they may as well just resign at this moment, as this is how it's going to be for them for the rest of their careers in Toronto Municipal Politics.<br />
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It's over scumbags. Go and cry me a river... Maybe David Miller will take you on in his old Law Firm (see: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/945329--miller-returns-to-his-pre-city-hall-law-firm" target="_blank">Miller returns to his pre-city hall law firm</a>). At least there somebody might actually listen to your irrelevant rhetoric.<br />
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Now, unlike many of the people who sat there and watched in pain the entire 6 hour affair of Leftist Councillors blowing smoke up each others' asses, I actually enjoyed it! :) Watching Adam Vaughan going on and on pretending like he cares about anything other than challenging Rob Ford, truly was entertaining. Actually, watching each and every one of Council's Lefties tagging each other in, and setting each other up via motion after motion after motion to say the same nonsensical crap over and over, it was so much fun! I would watch it again. Seriously, I would definitely watch that again before sitting through the torture that was <i>Avatar</i> (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/am-i-only-person-who-thought-that.html" target="_blank">Am I the only person who thought that Avatar was Boring??</a>)... Oh, and by the way, in case you wanted to watch the video of this City Council Meeting, you can find it at: <a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&gid=77942" target="_blank">RogersTV.com - Toronto City Council - March 9, 2011</a>.<br />
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What was really funny was hearing them complain about not having information about the Auditor's report, and not getting an opportunity to question the Auditor about it. Meanwhile, everyone else in this city who wanted to see the report had read the entire report from end-to-end already as it has been readily available online for a while now (see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/toronto-community-housing-corp-tchc.html" target="_blank">Toronto Community Housing Corp. (TCHC) Board & Staff Swam in "Gravy"</a> for the links to the report pdfs), and when Council had the opportunity to question the Auditor about the report, first they spent the entire time trying to discredit him (as if he did something wrong by producing these findings) instead getting info about the actual report (see: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/950822--james-attacking-city-s-auditor-to-get-at-ford-is-wrong?bn=1" target="_blank">James: Attacking city’s auditor to get at Ford is wrong</a>), and then they voted against Mayor Ford's request to have that discussion. They even had the opportunity to attend the TCHC Board Meeting where they went through the report, but none of them attended (see: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2011/03/09/17559431.html" target="_blank">City Hall's clearly defined battle lines</a>). I mean, seriously, who are these idiots trying to fool? Themselves? Maybe their constituents who should be wondering why they voted these idiots into Council, possibly?<br />
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And what was even more fun, was watching the actors that Council's Left brought in from the various unions and etc., pretending to actually care about the TCHC Tenants, but in actuality being more bored out there than anyone else in Council Chambers. Watching them struggling to stay seated on those hard stands and not fall asleep was priceless. "We are not for sale!!" some of them chanted. That was just classic! Do these idiots even know what they're talking about? Apparently not.<br />
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Anyway, for someone like me who was just horrified by the way that these Councillors ran things with captain tax-and-spend David Miller at the helm, it was just so satisfying to watch them squirm as they truly realized that they are powerless. I mean, the plant watering staff have more power now at City Hall than Adam Vaughan and his band of misfits do... At least they can decide which plans to water! :)<br />
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Now that the TCHC Board has been officially dissolved, the next step is to dump that criminal CEO and ex-COO Keiko Nakamura in the trash. It's funny, Keiko pretends to actually care about the TCHC and their Tenants, and she's done a great job at manipulating the Tenants into believing just that. But truly, the only reason she still has not resigned yet is to make sure that she gets a fat severance package from the city when they fire her. Do you really think that she cares? Come on... If she truly cares, let's see if she takes that severance package which will come out of the TCHC Tenants' funding. She already makes a large salary with who knows the amount of bonuses, and she's been milking the TCHC Funds either directly or indirectly for years as was shown the Auditor's reports, so it's not like she needs the money. This will be the <i>true</i> test to see what she's really all about.<br />
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Congratulations Super Mayor Rob Ford! We, the people of Toronto, are 100% behind you! Keep up the great work!<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from City of Toronto website of TCHC Board Removal Vote Result at <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.CC6.1" target="_blank">http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.CC6.1</a> <br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-36090931965160401502011-03-09T08:00:00.001-05:002011-03-09T08:07:17.782-05:00TCHC Tenants Manipulated Into Thinking Things Are Fine at TCHC?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP0poh81t9EyP7AcKJsQZY4M9txsf3byC7Ih5JhXAsLQUcT6-IVHIXBwYKZekMAYHDeRSVxHr7c0aoiWRDcEc8DremD1BmmB0vVziiSRLiWSO1b4EHtAlWe2hI1a-AEP6K6XdjTsP7fmt/s1600/TorontoBuildingsCNTower_by_Diego_3336_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP0poh81t9EyP7AcKJsQZY4M9txsf3byC7Ih5JhXAsLQUcT6-IVHIXBwYKZekMAYHDeRSVxHr7c0aoiWRDcEc8DremD1BmmB0vVziiSRLiWSO1b4EHtAlWe2hI1a-AEP6K6XdjTsP7fmt/s640/TorontoBuildingsCNTower_by_Diego_3336_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Relax, it's a question, not a statement...<br />
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But really, have the TCHC Tenants been manipulated into thinking that things are fine at the TCHC? Especially when before the recent TCHC scandal emerged after the release of the Auditor's report (proving that things aren't fine), the majority of TCHC tenants were up-in-arms with the constant failures of the organization with respect to their living conditions...<br />
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I mean, how does this supposed tenant outrage over Super Mayor Rob Ford's call for the resignation of the entire board (including the tenant-elected members) make any sense whatsoever?<br />
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These are the people that screwed you! Seriously, help us help you, you know what I mean?<br />
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This outrage is more likely the result of a campaign of manipulation that's being quietly delivered by the remaining 4 TCHC Board Members, Leftist City Councillors Maria Augimeri and Raymond Cho, as well as the tenant-elected Board Members Catherine Wilkinson and Dan King. The scare tactics that they're pushing on the TCHC Tenants are simple: <i>Rob Ford is on a mission to end the Community Housing in Toronto, and if that happens, you will be out on the street. We are your only remaining defenders. If you get rid of us, you're screwed! Oooooooh, watch out for Mayor Ford, oooooooooh...</i> A sad, sad tactic being employed by a group of scumbags desperately trying to hold onto their jobs. It almost reminds me of a certain Libyan dictator who is blaming this recent rebellion on hallucinogenic drugs delivered to rebels via drinks with Al-Qaeda behind it. Nothing but nonsensical rhetoric, all meant to be used to scare the public into submission...<br />
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Unfortunately what's really going on is the exploitation of the TCHC tenants by Toronto City Council's Left in order to make a show of power over Mayor Rob Ford, teaching him a lesson that he's not invincible and can be stopped by the lefties whenever they feel like it. And as much as that is not true for Councils tax-and-spend left (as they are the minority now in City Council and will lose the vote every time that only a majority is needed), it is also unfortunate for the Tenants, as Mayor Ford is only trying to help them, and they unawaringly are doing everything they can to stop him from doing so.<br />
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In someways, I feel like, you know what, if this is what the tenants want, then this is what the tenants deserve. But in other ways, I know they are being peddled fear by Council's left, and they're response is only natural when faced with fear mongering by a corrupt group of scumbag Councillors and Board Members who apparently have no morals whatsoever.<br />
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If the TCHC Board cannot be completely refreshed with new Board Members with a completely new purpose and philosophy, things will not change for the TCHC Tenants. All of their funds will continue to be misspent and misused, and they will continue to live in a nightmare.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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PS: I'm not saying that Councillors Augimeri and Cho should not get reappointed (as they just started in the roles), but they should have stepped down and then been reappointed in a showing of solidarity against the previously scandal-plagued Board. Instead they made this a fight against Rob Ford, instead of a fight for the TCHC tenants, and for that, once they are forcefully removed after the City Council's Executive Committee puts it to a majority vote in Council, they should be kept as far away from the TCHC as possible.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/3336/1049010192/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/3336/1049010192/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/3336/" target="_blank">Diego_3336</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-65727507739177352952011-03-07T12:52:00.000-05:002011-03-07T12:52:29.710-05:00Toronto & Peel Police Boards Misusing Victims/Proceeds of Crime Funds?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop1CvvoE4Ac_Te-cb52VyzPVOFlXwHmaruPExOfTdbFpMa9xgls1ZyAUtVsPMn_0dvxbDI78pFbBPQBNoXu_qanzkbOGRE3ByBj6XOZVCmMHTKgcuRByh0ZY9SoeChg41Ag2eSSV6X0bS/s1600/CanadianMoney_by_%257Etwon%257E_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop1CvvoE4Ac_Te-cb52VyzPVOFlXwHmaruPExOfTdbFpMa9xgls1ZyAUtVsPMn_0dvxbDI78pFbBPQBNoXu_qanzkbOGRE3ByBj6XOZVCmMHTKgcuRByh0ZY9SoeChg41Ag2eSSV6X0bS/s640/CanadianMoney_by_%257Etwon%257E_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You know, I've never really understood these "Proceeds of Crime" and Victims funds, as though they have been designated for the "victims" of these crimes, it's not like this money is ever returned directly to the actual victims (without the victims having to jump through serious hoops to get it, and how often does that ever happen?). No, this money simply goes into a fund that does go towards some assistance programs for the victims (which many hardly ever use), and the rest is used at the discretion of the Police Board.<br />
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Now, when you give a Police Board access to funds that they only need to justify the usage of within their own board, then you are bound to find severe misuse. <br />
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Well, today the Toronto Star released a story that described the misuse of these "proceeds of crime" victims funds, where the Peel Police Board was purchasing tens of thousands of dollars worth of tickets to various Swanky Mayoral Galas, not only implicating the Peel Police in almost corrupt victims funds misuse, but also the Mayor of Mississauga, Hazel McCallion (who is no stranger to allegations of corruption), and also the former Mayor of Brampton, Susan Fennell, both who have sat on these Police Boards while these spending travesties occurred.<br />
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The Peel Police Board is not alone in this corrupt spending of crime victims' funds, as the Toronto Police Board has been guilty of exactly the same. Back in December, the Toronto Sun's Joe Warmington reported that the Toronto Police Board approved spending victims of crime funds on $600,000 for a Police Christmas Party, $9,000 on a cricket pitch upgrade, $21,000 for fitness equipment and other disgraceful usages.<br />
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Obviously there is a serious problem here that desperately needs to be addressed.<br />
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Firstly, here's the story from the Toronto Star about the Peel Police Board's corrupt misuse of "proceeds of crime" victims' funds:<br />
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<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/949733--cash-for-crime-victims-spent-on-mayors-galas?bn=1" target="_blank">Cash for crime victims spent on mayors' galas</a><br />
<blockquote>The Peel Police Services Board has bought tens of thousands of dollars worth of tickets to private mayoral galas in Brampton and Mississauga, using “proceeds of crime” that in Ontario typically go to victim and crime prevention programs.<br />
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The tickets were purchased over the years while mayors Susan Fennell of Brampton and Hazel McCallion of Mississauga sat on the board, with the approval of Peel Region chair Emil Kolb, who also heads the police board.<br />
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Minutes show, for example, that the board approved buying a $4,000 table at Fennell’s gala on Feb. 20 last year, on Fennell’s invitation. A month before the gala took place, then-board member Jim Murray put forward a motion to buy a second table. It was approved.<br />
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A big player in Mississauga’s real estate market and close friend of McCallion, Murray is one of the organizers of her annual arts gala. In 2008, Fennell moved that the police board buy a $6,000 table for McCallion’s gala that November.<br />
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Murray rejected any suggestion that there was a quid pro quo between them, yelling “that’s just insulting.”<br />
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Similar purchases were approved every year going back to 2006 for Fennell’s gala and at least 2000 for McCallion’s gala. McCallion and Murray no longer sit on the police board, and Fennell did not respond to a request for comment.<br />
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Kolb, who has chaired the police board since 1996, acknowledged that the board routinely approves such purchases, but points out that it’s not tax-generated dollars being spent.<br />
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“It’s funds that come from crime funds. Not one red cent is taxpayer dollars.”<br />
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Under Ontario’s Civil Remedies Act, money and property forfeited because of criminal activity is to be deposited into a special account that may be disbursed as direct compensation to the victims — which can include municipalities and public bodies — and grants to programs that assist victims and help prevent victimization, including those run by law enforcement agencies.<br />
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Kolb said the money spent on tickets by the Peel police board has come out of its “Special Fund,” which he said is used to support things such as long service awards and children’s organizations. Asked how the mayors’ galas fit into those categories, he said there’s a specific policy about charities.<br />
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“I thought these were charities.”<br />
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Neither gala is, in fact, a registered charity, nor are the mayors’ fundraising golf tournaments, to which the police board has also routinely purchased foursome tickets at a cost of about $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament.<br />
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Murray, however, believes they are charitable causes. “The money goes back to the community,” he said, adding: “I have never, ever at a gala sat at the police board table.”<br />
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Controversy has recently surrounded both of the mayors’ annual galas, which are billed as private fundraisers. Fennell’s gala committee refused to disclose its finances until recently, and even then, after Fennell resigned as its chair, released only brief statements for two of the past five years.<br />
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Financial statements for McCallion’s gala, billed as an arts fundraiser, reveal that 80 per cent of the ticket price went to cover costs for the swanky events. Only a third of the remaining 20 per cent of receipts went directly to arts groups. There is also the possibility that the city improperly issued charitable receipts for donations that did not go directly to the city.</blockquote><br />
For those of you who are interested, the Ontario Civil Remedies Act can be found here: <a href="http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_01r28_e.htm" target="_blank">Ontario Civil Remedies Act, 2001</a>.<br />
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Can you believe the arrogance and sense of entitlement that that scumbag Emil Kolb displayed in his response to the Star's questions in regards to this misspending of crime victims' funds? “It’s funds that come from crime funds. Not one red cent is taxpayer dollars.” As if that makes it right... Acting like the money rightfully belongs to him or something, and not to the actual <u>victims of the crimes</u>... This guy should be tossed in prison.<br />
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Next, here's the story from the Toronto Sun about the Toronto Police Board's corrupt misuse of "proceeds of crime" victims' funds:<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2010/12/06/16451766.html" target="_blank">Police board's silence shocking</a><br />
<blockquote>If [Toronto Police Services Board Chair Alok] Mukherjee would have called me back, I would have asked does he think taking the [Toronto Police] chief [Bill Blair] to his home country of India earlier this year clouds, or compromises, his judgement.<br />
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If such a trip seems a little to cosy, look at the TPSB website and you’ll see money for a Senior Officers’ Christmas dinner and dance at the Toronto Hilton coming from a $600,000 “special” fund derived from the sale of unclaimed property and unclaimed cash. Tickets for each board member were purchased at $62.50 for this soiree — complete with cocktails — from the proceeds of the fund.<br />
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Shouldn’t they pay for their own Christmas party tickets? Was Mr. Nobody invited?<br />
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From this same strange fund, you’ll also see $9,000 for a police cricket pitch upgrade, $21,000 for fitness equipment and $25,000 for a person to look into the G20 disgrace but so far there has been no sign of any report from it.<br />
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Why does this board have access to this money and the ability to allot it to such things? Should such a fund not be used solely for crime victims’ programs?<br />
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If he ever calls back, I’ll ask: “Are you the police’s oversight board oversight or a phony, fat-cat political puppet show enjoying Christmas drinks on us with the chief and his inner circle?”<br />
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I might also have asked Mukherjee if their India trip came out of this fund and also what going there had to do with Toronto policing?</blockquote>If our Police Boards are allowed to corruptly misuse monies that have been taken from victims of crime or put aside for the assistance of victims of crimes, and spend that money on lavish parties and on recreational perks, then how can any other City Department be blamed for doing the same? The only difference is that with the other city departments, the money has come directly from the taxpayers, whereas this money that the Police Boards have been misusing comes from the funds for the poor victims of crimes. These people have already been hurt and punished unwarrantly by criminals, and then to add icing to the cake, the Police come in afterward and take their cut as well?<br />
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This is simply not right. How can the Police expect to have any respect from the civilian population when this is what they do to the victims of crime, the very people they are suppose to protect?<br />
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Having the Police control the usage of the proceeds of crimes monies is a direct conflict of interest, and truly, it should not be used for anything other than to compensate the victims or to assist the victims.<br />
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If the Police have needs for anything, regardless of whether it is related to victims or not, it should come out of their operating budget. Victims of crime funds should be for the victims, and that's it. Both the Toronto Police Board and the Peel Police Board should be ashamed of themselves.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/twon/1526777999/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/twon/1526777999/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/twon/" target="_blank">~Twon~</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-68900466084718203952011-03-06T09:34:00.007-05:002011-03-06T16:35:57.862-05:00Ontario Liberal Machine Working Overtime To Restrain Ford Nation...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PL0ZccoSz8Y6_RjwzCYnDnUnep5OKnyMn27BNr_N_yjxsRdSpdPhSLv4QwsrSZECXrFelVVhhNs9lYPveKqUiajNkBrHfDFzlJ9KHp5QKWxGozUpdyj80PyApEzHp-9YwMuK9eAWdiuI/s1600/FordNation-RespectForTaxpayers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target=""><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PL0ZccoSz8Y6_RjwzCYnDnUnep5OKnyMn27BNr_N_yjxsRdSpdPhSLv4QwsrSZECXrFelVVhhNs9lYPveKqUiajNkBrHfDFzlJ9KHp5QKWxGozUpdyj80PyApEzHp-9YwMuK9eAWdiuI/s640/FordNation-RespectForTaxpayers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The "Ford Nation" is alive and well, just ask George Smitherman, the former Liberal Deputy Premier and right-hand under Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, who dared to try and dismiss it and therefore ended up its first victim.<br />
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Then there was Rocco Rossi, the former Liberal Party President who though he seemed more reasonable and trustworthy than his then Liberal-brotheren George Smitherman, was unfortunately wearing the same colour "red" that the Ontario Liberal Party wears, not to mention the colour they've made all of Ontario's financial statements become, and he was therefore destroyed by the Ford Nation as well. However, unlike George Smitherman or even Sarah Thomson (the disgraced Mayoral candidate who started off in the race by unleashing her anger against Smitherman and everything he represented as an Ontario Liberal, but then was disgracefully corrupted by the Ontario Liberal Machine and suddenly was in love with Smitherman), at least Rocco Rossi learned his lesson from Ford Nation. Rossi promptly tossed his Liberal affiliation in the trash and traded it for the blue of Tim Hudak's Ontario Progressive Conservatives. <br />
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And let's not forget about Joe Pantalone, the NDP's white knight in the Toronto Mayoral Race where Ford Nation was born. Pantalone was absolutely destroyed (and rightfully so) for his and his NDP comrades' failure in managing the City of Toronto with any kind of efficiency whatsoever. <br />
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Reminder: Toronto 2010 Mayoral Election Results (<a href="http://www.toronto.ca/elections/results/pdf/2010-officialdeclaration.pdf" target="_blank">City of Toronto - Declaration of Results of Voting - Monday, October 25, 2010 - Mayor</a>):<br />
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Rob Ford: 383,501 (46.3%)<br />
George Smitherman: 289,832 (35.0%)<br />
Joe Pantalone: 95,482 (11.5%)<br />
Rocco Rossi: 5,012 (0.6%)<br />
Sarah Thomson: 1,883 (0.2%)<br />
TOTAL VOTERS WHO CAST THEIR BALLOTS: 827,723 (50.55% of Eligible Toronto Voters)<br />
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The unofficial Toronto NDP, much like the Ontario Liberals, have become a symbol for waste of taxpayer money and boondoggle after boondoggle, and as much as they will try to deny it, they -and not Rob Ford, should be credited with the creation of the voter-movement that is the Ford Nation. For if it wasn't for their absolutely catastrophic failures at both the Toronto Municipal level and the Ontario Provincial level (inevitably costing Toronto and Ontario taxpayers billions of dollars), this respect-for-the-taxpayer-driven movement would not have evolved.<br />
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Ever since the news of the "Ford Nation" was raised by Super Mayor Rob Ford in that now famous NewsTalk1010 interview with Jerry Agar (to hear the interview, visit: <a href="http://www.newstalk1010.com/shows/jerryagar/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10210969" target="_blank">Mayor Rob Ford responds to TCHC Gravy</a>), either Torontonians and Ontarians have had a feeling of excitement come over them with the prospect of change-for-the-better-a-coming, or they've been in absolute fear as they are realizing that their gravy train that they've been milking taxpayers from for the past 8 years in Ontario is suddenly going to come to an end. Regardless of whichever side Ontarians land on in this taxpayer revolt, and as much as they'd like to deny it, everyone has taken notice of the Ford Nation.<br />
<br />
The Ontario Liberal Machine is out there in full force right now working overtime to try and discount the strength of the Ford Nation. Just look at the Toronto Star. A simple search for "Ford Nation" on their website returned 12 articles on the subject spanning over 5 days from March 2nd to March 6th, and we're just at the beginning of March 6th (<a href="http://www.thestar.com/searchresults?AssetType=article&stype=genSearch&q=%22Ford%20Nation%22&r=all:1" target="_blank">Search Results : "Ford Nation" - We found 12 articles for ""Ford Nation""</a>). It started off with 2 articles on March 2nd, 1 on March 3rd, and then 2 on March 4th, 3 on March 5th, and now 3 again on March 6th (so far). If there was nothing to be worried about, then why the sudden flurry of anti-Ford Nation rhetoric coming from the Liberal Toronto newspaper? One would think that if there was nothing to worry about, then there would be nothing to talk about. A simple acknowledgment of the mention of "Ford Nation" by Mayor Ford would have sufficed, but no, they've done the complete opposite and gone on full fire against it. It sounds to me like the <i>red</i> of the Ontario Liberals has either turned <i>yellow</i> in fear, or completely <i>pale white</i> in shock. I'm just waiting to see the total number of articles that come flying out for the Monday morning issue on March 7th, when they have their entire Liberal-corrupted writing force raging against the respect-for-the-taxpayer-movement. But hey, the Liberals have nothing to worry about in the Ford Nation, right? Right...<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for newspapers like the Toronto Star, they simply don't seem to learn their lesson when it comes to dismissing the taxpayer anger that is out there in Toronto and Ontario. They disgracefully and blatantly ran a completely biased and nonsensical smear campaign against Rob Ford and essentially the majority of the Star's readership during the 2010 Toronto Mayoral Election, by pushing their Liberal agenda on Toronto and Ontario readers of their newspaper. And to their shock-and-awe, they were left traumatized after the Toronto Election and they've been paying the price for that betrayal of Torontonians ever since. I mean, try and see if the Toronto Star can get even one quote directly from the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford. It kind of questions their entire relevance in Toronto now when it comes to municipal politics, doesn't it? But still they didn't learn their lesson. The Ontario Provincial Election is now getting ramped up, and we are already seeing the Star's Liberal Machine working in full force yet again.<br />
<br />
Now, there seems to be some kind of misconception out there (obviously being pushed by the Liberals) that the Ford Nation only applies to Torontonians. And though the "Ford" part of the "Ford Nation" may very well be representative of the Toronto contingent, it also represents the mantras that every taxpayer in Ontario relates with, which are: "Stop the Gravy Train" and "Respect for the Taxpayer". These are 2 phrases that Dalton McGuinty would never be able to understand, as they are in direct conflict with his entire purpose, not to mention his track record. And this is why every single city in Ontario is salivating in preparation for the coming October Ontario Provincial Election, as finally, Dalton McGuinty will feel the wrath of the scorned and abused Ontario taxpayer.<br />
<br />
In just taking a quick look around the various cities across Ontario, from the North to the South, to the East to the West, Dalton McGuinty is under fire and Rob Ford is being looked at as a hero. Could it be that Rob Ford is no longer just a symbol representative of Toronto, but moreso a symbol representative of every taxpayer who is fed up with a failed McGuinty Government in Ontario?<br />
<br />
Let's look at some of the articles and comments from the readers on the Ford Nation story, and on recent stories about Dalton McGuinty in general, across some of the cities in Ontario:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Politics+threat/4388784/story.html" target="_blank">The Ottawa Citizen - Politics by threat</a><br />
<blockquote>anonymous<br />
<br />
8:17 AM on March 6, 2011<br />
<br />
Even a Liberal newspaper like the Ottawa Citizen must admit that Dolton has been a disaster. It's time for the Ontario Nation to boot this guy and his cohorts out of office.</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3006959" target="_blank">The Brantford Expositor - Editorial - Hard-working Ontarians tired of being pushed down</a><br />
<blockquote>Michael Den Tandt<br />
<br />
They thought Rob Ford would fall flat on his face. A bull in a china shop, blundering about at the head of a city he couldn't possibly understand, with his simplistic football coach's brain.<br />
<br />
Yet here Ford is with 60% support, threatening to pull the Megacity into a populist revolt against Dalton McGuinty's Liberals. What's up with that?<br />
<br />
Maybe it has something to do with this: In his first three months in office, Ford got rid of the vehicle-registration tax, cut councillors' budgets and ended the free food at council meetings. These are all things he promised to do. Symbolic? Absolutely. But symbols matter.<br />
<br />
Oh, and Ford also brought in a balanced budget with no tax increases.<br />
<br />
Throughout last fall's municipal campaign in the Big Smoke, disdain for Rob Ford and everything he represented was ever-present--among a certain set. Let's call them "Starbuck Nation"--no offence to some fine coffee shops.<br />
<br />
Starbuck Nation believes that Rob Ford, and Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak, and most of the federal Conservative cabinet, are an embarrassment.<br />
<br />
Starbuck Nation's emerging problem, as evidenced by Rob Ford's stubborn refusal to implode, is that it is quickly becoming a political minority. Main Street Ontario is populated by Ford Nation. The bulk of taxes are paid by Ford Nation. Country people, small town people, are mainly card-carrying members of Ford Nation, though they live nowhere near the city limits of Toronto.<br />
<br />
Across the province, and especially north of Highway 407, working people are weary of being taken for granted, talked down to, lied to, by turns coddled and ignored, by Queen's Park.</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.soonews.ca/viewarticle.php?id=29991" target="_blank">Sault Ste Marie - Soonews.ca - Stunted Growth Plan Won't Help Ontario's North: NDP </a><br />
<blockquote>After four years of talk and delay the McGuinty Liberals’ Northern Growth Plan contains nothing to confront the serious challenges facing Northern Ontario, says NDP MPPs Gilles Bisson and Howard Hampton.<br />
<br />
“If the McGuinty Liberals want to study the problems facing the North, they should look in the mirror," said Bisson. "After eight years in office, the McGuinty Liberals are out of ideas, out of energy and Northerners are out of patience."<br />
<br />
Hampton noted that today's long-awaited growth plan is long on talk and short on action.<br />
<br />
“We don't need a new study to tell us that McGuinty Liberals have devastated the North," said Hampton. “For eight years they've driven up electricity rates, watched our jobs and resources move out of province, and driven up the cost of living with their unfair HST. This so-called plan can't fix their colossal mess."<br />
<br />
Hampton noted that before the 2007 election, the McGuinty Liberals made a similar Northern Growth Plan announcement. Now, months away from another election, McGuinty Liberals are still talking about a growth plan.<br />
<br />
“The last thing Northern families need right now is four more years of empty rhetoric from an arrogant McGuinty government," said Hampton. "We need a government that's ready to make life more affordable, focus on the cost of electricity, and ensure that the resources of the North stay in the North to create jobs."</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3007781" target="_blank">The Sudbury Star - Grits' map to prosperity</a><br />
<blockquote>Oh!Really!<br />
<br />
March 5, 2011<br />
<br />
The Places to Grow Act was passed in 2006. This 60 page document is a plan to plan the development of Northern Ontario. It asks all municipalities to rewrite their Economic development Plans to coincide with the policies set down in the Act. It asks that residential growth be focused towards the town core and to develop "brownfield" sites with 20 year plans for Industrial growth.<br />
<br />
There will be special emphasis on Aboriginal and Francophone needs as far as education, job opportunities health and education. The general gist I get from this plan is that millions of dollars will be spent on consultants to flesh out this plan which is essentially all air and no substance at this point.<br />
<br />
Rationalize this airy fairy plan with the reality that it costs $500,000 more or 33% extra in hydro costs to keep our city street lights on this year ($2 million).<br />
<br />
<br />
voxpopuli<br />
<br />
March 5, 2011<br />
<br />
This plan is just 'lip service' to northern residents and aboriginal people. The funding quoted in 'the plan' is grossly inadequate to do anything of value.<br />
<br />
Good try Bart...better luck next time.</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.chroniclejournal.com/editorial/daily_editorial/2011-03-06/one-more-plan-north" target="_blank">Thunder Bay - The Chronicle Journal - One more plan for the North</a><br />
<blockquote>Sunday March 6, 2011<br />
<br />
A plan to create a plan. This is what the provincial government has in its hands as it rolls out its highly-anticipated Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.<br />
<br />
They assure it’s a comprehensive framework aimed at guiding Northern Ontario through the next 25 years, developed after a consultation phase so intense it was the subject of more than a little bragging at the plan’s unveiling on Friday.<br />
<br />
This plan hits on all the tentpole issues. It’s broken up into sections covering the economy, the people, communities, infrastructure, the environment and Aboriginal people. It touches on mining, forestry and energy (although there’s no mention of energy pricing). But that is absolutely all it does. Touches. There is nothing firm or final. This is just another plan to be the subject of still more consultation.<br />
<br />
For example, the province says it will work with school boards to “support an education system that continues to accommodate the unique needs and circumstances of all Northern Ontario communities.” OK. How?<br />
<br />
When it comes to jobs, the province says it will work with industry, labour and related groups to optimize labour market participation for all Northern Ontario residents, “with targeted measures for under-represented groups including the North’s francophone and aboriginal workforce.” Great. And those measures are?<br />
<br />
The plan calls for the development of innovative approaches and technologies to deliver training in rural communities. Such as?<br />
<br />
Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle pointed out the plan is a guide to where in the North the province should — and will, hopefully — invest its money. The thing is, the issues facing the North are far from new. Anyone who lives here has seen these very things brought up again and again by successive governments. Now, the Liberals have published their latest plan, regurgitating them all again. And still there are no concrete answers.<br />
<br />
In fairness, it’s hard to come up with an answer if you don’t know the question. So the next step, the Liberals said Friday, is to hold more consultations.<br />
Thunder Bay isn’t just a “service hub,” for example. It’s a northern service hub. That appears to be wholly different thing. How is it different, exactly? Well, that’s hard to say. The province needs to sit down with the various “stakeholders” and figure that out.<br />
<br />
We like plans. Plans are good. The North, with its unique challenges and circumstances, needs a plan.<br />
<br />
What the Liberals announced on Friday, however, isn’t the answer. It wasn’t ready and it should not have been released, particularly when the government admits it needs to do much more talking before it can figure out what it all means. If it doesn’t know by now, it probably never will.</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3007739" target="_blank">The Sudbury Star - Province should get an F: Bisson</a><br />
<blockquote>AZILDIAN<br />
<br />
March 5, 2011<br />
<br />
Gas and heating up north is more expensive, yet McSquinty the dolt wants us to "prosper" up here by raising our heating costs. Sounds like sound logic to me.<br />
<br />
<br />
kingjim<br />
<br />
March 5, 2011<br />
<br />
Liberals do not care about the north,they just laugh at us and say stupid people, look at how many jobs lost at Vale and National Grocerier. Rick does not care so long as he is at a Photo Opt. Sudbury is a dying community you can't even get a bed in the hospital. <br />
<br />
<br />
mikey27<br />
<br />
March 6, 2011<br />
<br />
It's high time Northern Ontario broke away from the southern leeches and developed our own vast natural resources with our own people and power generation. We'd be far better off as a "have not province" than the way the south treats us now.</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.timminstimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3004584&auth=Christina%20Blizzard,%20Toronto%20Sun%20columnist" target="_blank">Timmins Times - Gadhafi has done more for Northeastern Ontario than McGuinty says Toronto Sun writer</a><br />
<blockquote>Christina Blizzard says long awaited Northern Ontario Growth Plan is a desperation move by Liberals<br />
<br />
The big question to ask Northern Development Minister Mike Gravelle when he unveils his long-awaited Northern Development Growth Plan Friday is this:<br />
<br />
Is this really about jobs, development and good health and education services for the North?<br />
<br />
Or is this a last-ditch pitch by the Liberals to shore up their fortunes in a part of the province that has felt shunned and ignored for the past seven years?<br />
<br />
The Conference Board of Canada released damning figures Thursday that reveal northern Ontario had the second slowest growth in the country — after northern Quebec.<br />
<br />
Hard hit by the downturn in forestry and associated manufacturing, from 1999-2008, northern Ontario clocked only a 3% growth rate. Quebec's was lowest overall at 2.2% — but neighbouring northern Manitoba's growth rate was 12.2% and southern Ontario came in at 8.5%.<br />
<br />
Northerners are tired of having government (a) ignore them or, worse (b) foist on them unpopular programs that sell well with latte-loving eco-babblers in downtown Toronto, but which wreak havoc in the North.<br />
<br />
Last year, the government rammed through its Far North Act, over the strenuous objections of northern mayors, chambers of commerce and aboriginal groups who said it will hamper development.<br />
<br />
Gravelle would not comment on whether the growth plan will include relief from sky high hydro rates that are threatening to push refining from the ore-rich "Ring of Fire" out of the province.<br />
<br />
That happened recently in Timmins, when Xstrata moved its metallurgical site to Quebec, were hydro is cheaper.<br />
<br />
Cliff's Resources is the major developer of chromite in northwestern Ontario and is looking for help building a rail line and infrastructure to the remote site and relief on hydro rates.<br />
<br />
Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson says while the economy of the northwest has been decimated, the northeast is not doing so badly.<br />
<br />
But you can thank Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi more than Premier Dalton McGuinty for that.<br />
<br />
Unrest in the Middle East is causing gold prices to soar. That makes it more economical to expand older mines and open new ones.<br />
<br />
"When you've got $1,400 (an ounce) gold, you build Detour Lake, you build Northwest, you do these things," said Bisson, referring to newly opened and expanded gold mines.<br />
<br />
"Cliffs and Ring of Fire — it ain't going to happen unless we deal with the electricity issue and we deal with the infrastructure rail issue," he said.<br />
<br />
Bisson said the government's done nothing to address these issues so far and the growth plan is mostly about the Liberals' vulnerability in the north.<br />
<br />
With David Ramsay quitting, the Timiskaming Cochrane seat is likely to go NDP. Bill Mauro barely squeaked to victory in Thunder Bay-Atikokan in 2007 and could well lose this time around. Even safe seats like Gravelle's Thunder Bay-Superior North could be up for grabs.<br />
<br />
So is this growth plan really about developing the North?<br />
<br />
Or is it all about shoring up Liberal political fortunes in a part of the province they've ignored for so long?</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.lfpress.com/comment/2011/03/01/17449751.html" target="_blank">London Free Press - Time to dump McGuinty</a><br />
<blockquote>Christian Bot Woodstock<br />
<br />
March 1, 2011<br />
<br />
I know I'm not alone when I express my disgust over Dalton McGuinty's financially destructive policies that serve no purpose than to tax hardworking citizens into submission and eventually choke out the middle class.<br />
<br />
I've had far more than enough of the higher hydro rates, the green energy plan that uses the bogus problem of climate change to justify higher energy costs, and the dreaded HST.</blockquote><br />
<br />
As you can see, this rising of the Ford Nation and the hatred and disdain for the McGuinty government spans across all of Ontario, and in no way is limited to the Torontonians who voted in Rob Ford.<br />
<br />
So, if the Ontario Liberals want to lie to themselves and try to manipulate Ontarians into thinking that the Ford Nation is nothing to worry about, then they truly are in for a serious reality check come October.<br />
<br />
At this point, with McGuinty's approval rating at almost the lowest in the country for any Premier, with or without the Ford Nation mobilized, the Ontario Liberals are finished. The McGuinty Liberal Government will go down as one the biggest failures and scandal-plagued governments in the history of Ontario.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for Ontarians though, we will still be feeling the pains of McGuinty's failed leadership long after he's gone.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PL0ZccoSz8Y6_RjwzCYnDnUnep5OKnyMn27BNr_N_yjxsRdSpdPhSLv4QwsrSZECXrFelVVhhNs9lYPveKqUiajNkBrHfDFzlJ9KHp5QKWxGozUpdyj80PyApEzHp-9YwMuK9eAWdiuI/s1600/FordNation-RespectForTaxpayers.jpg" target="_blank">https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PL0ZccoSz8Y6_RjwzCYnDnUnep5OKnyMn27BNr_N_yjxsRdSpdPhSLv4QwsrSZECXrFelVVhhNs9lYPveKqUiajNkBrHfDFzlJ9KHp5QKWxGozUpdyj80PyApEzHp-9YwMuK9eAWdiuI/s1600/FordNation-RespectForTaxpayers.jpg</a> by <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com" target="_blank">jackandcokewithalime</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-30037746232345891002011-03-05T15:06:00.000-05:002011-03-05T15:06:02.507-05:00Study: Smoking Marijuana Has No Link to Lung, Neck or Head Cancer...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRQiPgeuK0lrOsJFRTrZ0RlDP53ZW5dK0OIlEX9ZWpAuPDvU4ZpEcKIhyphenhyphen3XnW03R3aTdUu2x2hEnwimHCDVqztIGYIff9_MAeUOkShLsynSi6nlqiXiW-kSFi0uPLQA4XuPFYntAo3T5n/s1600/MarijuanaJoint_by_Torben+Bj%25C3%25B8rn+Hansen_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRQiPgeuK0lrOsJFRTrZ0RlDP53ZW5dK0OIlEX9ZWpAuPDvU4ZpEcKIhyphenhyphen3XnW03R3aTdUu2x2hEnwimHCDVqztIGYIff9_MAeUOkShLsynSi6nlqiXiW-kSFi0uPLQA4XuPFYntAo3T5n/s640/MarijuanaJoint_by_Torben+Bj%25C3%25B8rn+Hansen_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
As much as it defies logic, apparently smoking marijuana doesn't cause lung cancer...<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Globe and Mail:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/paul-taylor/smoking-marijuana-wont-give-you-lung-cancer/article1930669/" target="_blank">Smoking marijuana won't give you lung cancer </a><br />
<blockquote>Smoking marijuana doesn't boost your chances of getting lung cancer, even if you're a long-time, heavy dope user, according to a new study.<br />
<br />
The U.S. researchers were surprised by their findings, presented this week at a conference of the American Thoracic Society in San Diego. They had expected the controversial weed would jack up cancer risk, just like smoking tobacco.<br />
<br />
In fact, previous studies have shown that marijuana tar contains 50 per cent higher concentrations of chemicals linked to lung cancer, compared with tobacco, said lead researcher Donald Tashkin of the University of California at Los Angeles. What's more, marijuana smokers hold their breath about four times longer than tobacco consumers, allowing more time for the hazardous particles to deposit in the lungs.<br />
<br />
Even so, the study of more than 2,000 people with different smoking habits found no link between dope smoking and lung, head or neck cancers.<br />
<br />
Dr. Tashkin speculates that THC, a chemical in marijuana smoke, "may encourage aging cells to die earlier and therefore be less likely to undergo cancerous transformation."</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torbenh/2298921212/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/torbenh/2298921212/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torbenh/" target="_blank">Torben Bjørn Hansen</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-2946629818765233732011-03-04T14:07:00.000-05:002011-03-04T14:07:35.154-05:00Ontario: Every Child Should Be Treated Equally, Especially in Education...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ls5YpLvo9X0uvWzYxDCVppC9YDa_YQZw42L0aG79YkBFAf1Wy_WWoJryykP51Vp0waFugoFD5TZWzqlUK6lnk7YuSXZiFDkea61mtC2RAYGZ8IRFg1rgOS1IZ_tHj3YxsqFYN4Oe8Qzg/s1600/SchoolChildren_by_USMissionCanada_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ls5YpLvo9X0uvWzYxDCVppC9YDa_YQZw42L0aG79YkBFAf1Wy_WWoJryykP51Vp0waFugoFD5TZWzqlUK6lnk7YuSXZiFDkea61mtC2RAYGZ8IRFg1rgOS1IZ_tHj3YxsqFYN4Oe8Qzg/s640/SchoolChildren_by_USMissionCanada_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Now this is a topic that is very controversial, and I often find myself struggling to choose a side to land on in the argument (related story: <a href="http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/schoolsandresources/article/946344--province-needs-to-set-school-fundraising-limits-groups-say" target="_blank">Toronto Star: Province needs to set school fundraising limits, groups say</a>). But regardless, it is an important topic, and I felt it necessary to throw in my 2 cents.<br />
<br />
One thing that I feel absolutely passionate about, is that every child should have an equal chance when it comes to getting an education (or at least a publicly funded education). Every child should be allowed the chance to become anything they would ever want in this world, as this is the very definition of freedom and democracy. Meritocracy should be the only judge when determining where a person should end up in their lives, and nothing else.<br />
<br />
This is why I have such a hatred for Monarchy and Entitlement. Why the hell should I have respect and love for the Monarchy when they did absolutely nothing to earn that from me? Monarchy (all of them in the history of time), basically invented and nourished slavery, choosing arbitrarily who should be slaves and who should be privileged, and it had absolutely nothing to do with the accomplishments of a person, and moreso to do with their social status, a status of which they had almost no power whatsoever to establish, change or overcome.<br />
<br />
This is why democracy and freedom was (and is) so important. It broke down the fake barriers created by the privileged to hold onto their privilege and hold back those "lower" classes from making any progress. This is why we are seeing the overthrowing of regimes and dictatorships in the Arab world right now... It is exactly for this same reason!<br />
<br />
Allowing some children to get a better publicly funded education than others simply because their parents are more well-off (especially where in some cases those parents have gained their wealth through inheritance and via no effort of their own), is completely wrong (in my opinion), and it punishes/rewards the children for either the failures/successes or even bad luck/good luck of their parents.<br />
<br />
This is why when I hear about public schools in rich areas fundraising and raising millions of dollars for their schools, meanwhile those folks in poorer areas are barely able to raise a few thousand dollars for theirs, and therefore their children either reap the benefits or pay the price, it is just not right in my eyes. (And before you rich parents go nuts and assume that I want you to give your fundraising dollars to the poorer children, just relax and keep reading...)<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Now, I don't blame the rich parents for trying to ensure that their kids get the best education possible. That is their right in a free society, not to mention there right as parents. In fact, if they didn't do so, I would question their priorities. And I don't blame the poorer parents for not being able to raise as much money as the richer parents, as poorer parents in many cases actually have both parents working countless hours a day to survive, and don't have the luxury of having one parent available (due to them not working) and being able to dedicate full-time to fundraising for their local schools.<br />
<br />
And idiots like NewsTalk1010's Jerry Agar are so ignorant when it comes to things like this, that they just can't wrap their heads around it. Not all poor people don't work and choose to spend all their time on selfish matters, as opposed to fundraising for their children's education. And not all poor folks have the connections and even the know-how of how to get key people to help them out with the fundraising and etc. Regardless of how ignorant you want to be around the subject, this is just simple reality.<br />
<br />
I grew up in one of the worst neighbourhoods in Toronto, and I went to school with kids the majority of which were in public housing. It sucked for me to not have all of the latest clothes and toys and etc. (you try going to school in the 80s and 90s with hand-me-downs from the 60s & 70s, with bell-bottom jeans and huge collared shirts), while both my parents worked for a living and provided as best as they could for me, meanwhile, these kids whose parents were on welfare had everything that I didn't, and their parents didn't work and etc. So I understand both the view of people who hate those who don't help themselves, and the view of those who are poor and though their parents do both work hard to make a living, the unfortunate reality is that without a head start like the majority of well-off people got, not everyone is that lucky and they have to start from nothing and progress the hard way.<br />
<br />
Now, is it fair that I should suffer because my parents both work and don't have the time to organize events and walk around our neighbourhood trying to solicit money from people who supposedly don't have enough money for food? Not to mention in my neighbourhood, you really didn't want to walk around anywhere for the fear of getting robbed or shot. But Jerry Agar would never understand something like this in his cushy existence... And in someways I don't blame him for it, as I guess he has been sheltered from this reality his whole life, so how would he understand?<br />
<br />
The blame for this problem lies not with the parents, but squarely on the McGuinty Liberal Ontario Government. You see, if every school had the money it needed to support all of the programs, services and activities it required, then this need for fundraising at the school level would not exist. And therefore if this need for fundraising didn't exist, then every child would again get the same equal publicly funded education that every child has a right to.<br />
<br />
All of this class warfare and rich versus poor and yada yada is all just rhetoric-driven manipulative jargon that the McGuinty government would rather we focus on, as opposed to focusing on their failure when it comes to the education of our children.<br />
<br />
I mean, really, we are paying so much in taxes for Education for our children and Healthcare for our population, and yet neither of these areas are getting all of the money that they need.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, we have the McGuinty government experimenting in Green Energy and blowing billions of our tax dollars on failed initiatives and wasteful spending boondoggles, and our parents are fighting with each other over having a proper education for their children?<br />
<br />
Somewhere along the lines over the past years, things just went backward. Dalton McGuinty, though he always portrays a fatherly persona who looks out for the best interests of Ontarians, obviously has lost track of where his priorities should lie.<br />
<br />
If a change isn't made soon, not only are we adults going to be in trouble, but as we are starting to see, our children are going to be in trouble as well, and that spells nothing but trouble for the future of Ontario (and that has nothing to do with whether I'm poor or you're rich).<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/us_mission_canada/5376079686/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/us_mission_canada/5376079686/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/us_mission_canada/" target="_blank">US Mission Canada</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-6369526206266448032011-03-04T10:01:00.000-05:002011-03-04T10:01:08.726-05:00Toronto Police Should Not Consider Work For the City as "Paid Duty"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7StIeaMh9JO7BDTwH7JMBTViKUskX-OSzLjsTkQtPRnzoAhKNP0ABpQc89hx5T3CxNrpdtFZ2LXSo5FwmqG45viB3VIUK4dnAu-Entv6I2OBg3LhNo1Ow8eedcA_iAHV50_OLs_y4sFB/s1600/TorontoPoliceOffDuty_by_MSVG_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7StIeaMh9JO7BDTwH7JMBTViKUskX-OSzLjsTkQtPRnzoAhKNP0ABpQc89hx5T3CxNrpdtFZ2LXSo5FwmqG45viB3VIUK4dnAu-Entv6I2OBg3LhNo1Ow8eedcA_iAHV50_OLs_y4sFB/s640/TorontoPoliceOffDuty_by_MSVG_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
A trend that Torontonians will have to start getting used to now is scathing Auditor report after Auditor report about wasteful spending across every single City Department and Agency in Toronto. I for one, get extremely upset every time I see even one penny of my tax dollars being wasted as nobody, not the Government, not the elitists, not one person (except maybe my wife) understands better how I should spend my money than myself...though, our friends on the left would beg to differ.<br />
<br />
But to my surprise this morning, upon reading the news I see former Budget Chief Shelley Carroll actually putting forth an effort to actually find some "gravy" in the City of Toronto. My goodness, could it possibly be progress? Well, we all know that Giorgio Mammoliti supposedly found his way when he dropped out of the Mayoral race and backed Rob Ford, so maybe it is possible... Who knows. (<i>Don't ever tell me I don't give credit when credit is due...</i>)<br />
<br />
I hate to go after the Police (<i>hold your laughter</i>), but I do whenever I feel it is necessary. Today the Toronto Star released a story that talked about "Paid Duty" for the Toronto Police (when Police are paid ridiculously high rates to stand by construction sites on their off-duty hours) and how the City of Toronto is one of the Toronto Police's biggest customers when it comes to that "Paid Duty". <br />
<br />
Now, I understand when private companies are doing construction and it may impact traffic so they are required to have these "Paid Duty" Police Officers stand by their site for the safety of everyone involved. This is the cost of doing business for these private companies, though I don't agree that the Police should be paid $65 per hour, a rate that is reserved for Program Managers and Junior Executives in my industry (Information Technology), people who manage multi-million dollar programs at major corporations and oversee literally hundreds of employees (granted they can make much more than that). But that is a different story all together.<br />
<br />
My problem is that while private companies should be charged to have Police stand by their sites (whenever having a pylon there instead won't suffice), there is no way in hell that the same employer who employs these Police Officers (The City of Toronto) should be charged the same rate as private companies when they require the same. It just makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. <br />
<br />
Apparently, the City of Toronto via its various Departments and Agencies (including the TCHC) has paid out millions of dollars in these exorbitantly high fees to basically have Toronto Police do the jobs that they are paid to do, which is serve and protect the safety of the citizens of Toronto.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/948533--paid-duty-policing-costs-taxpayers-millions-audit-report" target="_blank">Paid duty policing costs taxpayers millions: audit report</a><br />
<blockquote>Unnecessarily strict rules for employing paid duty police officers are costing Toronto taxpayers as much as $2 million each year, a city audit has found.<br />
<br />
The official findings won’t be released for weeks, but a draft copy obtained by the Star recommends reviewing some “debatable” permit criteria, particularly for road work.<br />
<br />
“When construction takes place close to a signalized intersection, there are certainly situations where a paid duty officer would be needed to direct traffic,” the report says. “However, there are also situations where the use of warning signs, barriers and other devices … would be sufficient.”<br />
<br />
The auditor’s findings mirror those of a December 2009 Star investigation that found private companies, taxpayers and community groups were forced to waste millions of dollars hiring paid duty officers for jobs that could be done by crossing guards or even pylons.<br />
<br />
“If you want to find ‘gravy,’ look there,” former city budget chief Shelley Carroll has said of the paid duty program.<br />
<br />
After the Star stories appeared, the Toronto Police Services Board asked the city auditor to review the program.<br />
<br />
The auditor’s report also found that, “compared with other large police services, Toronto’s yearly paid duty hours and costs are disproportionately high.”<br />
<br />
In 2009, Toronto police worked 40,919 paid duty assignments, earning $65 an hour — nearly twice the rate of a regular constable. In York, officers earn $57 an hour, Ottawa $58, Montreal $42 (time and half their hourly rate), and Peel $64.<br />
<br />
That year, the Toronto police paid-duty program took in $29 million. Of that amount, the city’s own divisions, agencies, boards, commissions and corporations were responsible for $7.8 million, just over one-quarter of the total.<br />
<br />
City of Toronto entities, including transportation services, Toronto Water, the TTC and Toronto Hydro, accounted for 9 per cent of all paid-duty assignments. The Ontario government was responsible for 12 per cent.<br />
<br />
Construction companies (19 per cent) and utility companies (18 per cent) were the two largest clients in 2009.<br />
<br />
In one of the audit’s more contentious findings, it notes there is insufficient oversight of internal paid duty policies.<br />
<br />
Working excessive paid duty shifts can interfere with an officer’s regular duties. Officers are not permitted to work more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period, and paid duty shifts are not permitted to overlap with regular shifts.<br />
<br />
While the auditor found the vast majority of officers followed the rules, the review uncovered some egregious violations.<br />
<br />
In one case, an officer was twice late for court because of overlapping assignments. The individual was paid for a court appearance as well as the paid duty shift.<br />
<br />
Paid duty by the numbers<br />
<br />
Figures from a draft report of the auditor’s findings on the paid duty police program:<br />
<br />
$29 million: Income from police paid-duty fees in 2009<br />
<br />
27%: Percentage of those fees paid by the city’s own agencies, boards, commissions and corporations<br />
<br />
56%: Percentage of all paid duty assignments devoted to traffic control, which the auditor found may be excessive<br />
<br />
$2 million: How much the city could save by making criteria for permits more effective<br />
<br />
40,919: The number of paid duty assignments Toronto officers worked in 2009<br />
<br />
$65: The hourly rate Toronto officers make on paid duty, nearly double a typical constable’s rate</blockquote><br />
$7.8 Million was "Paid Duty" money paid by the City of Toronto to use City of Toronto Police for City of Toronto work? In business, that is like the #1 mistake that corporations can make, and a mistake that CEOs are fired over. As an IT Consultant, I'm sent to all kinds of companies to help them improve their IT Department and to improve their business overall. Now, if my own Consulting Firm requires some assistance in certain areas of the business, are they going to allow me to charge themselves the same high rate that I am charging to external companies? No way in hell! No price higher than cost would be acceptable, as that is what would make sense...<br />
<br />
I know Super Mayor Rob Ford truly believes in the Toronto Police and backs them with every ounce of his being. But this is one case where the taxpayer should be put first, and I truly hope that he sees it this way as well.<br />
<br />
Only time will tell, I guess...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/msvg/4645779162/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/msvg/4645779162/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/msvg/" target="_blank">MSVG</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-18421901955935021402011-03-03T12:43:00.000-05:002011-03-03T12:43:37.086-05:00The TCHC Chair & Civilian Board Members Finally Learn Their Roles & Resign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-EVZlQf2zMOQ7xLxLIBU9pTSAh-QwTzU7ej_4O-_AJrdmStis3yuzMUZ66_Mgux-_1UN9lSyq0ZFUCLY4LBTAUMNGX-v6F8H9alihKhxI54PPDwmkcUPfVW_nptMhrqMND-WFSjbYt8K/s1600/TorontoStreetArt_by_ShaunMerritt_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-EVZlQf2zMOQ7xLxLIBU9pTSAh-QwTzU7ej_4O-_AJrdmStis3yuzMUZ66_Mgux-_1UN9lSyq0ZFUCLY4LBTAUMNGX-v6F8H9alihKhxI54PPDwmkcUPfVW_nptMhrqMND-WFSjbYt8K/s640/TorontoStreetArt_by_ShaunMerritt_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Nobody likes to watch people lose their jobs, except when they have failed miserably at those jobs and have cost taxpayers like you and me millions of dollars. I don't know about you, but when you take my hard-earned blood-sweat-and-tears money and spend it going to spas (when I don't get to), spend it going to golf resorts (when I don't get to), spend it on high-end chocolates (when I don't get to), spend it on manicures, pedicures, resort vacations, lavish gifts and parties and etc. (when I don't get to) and give millions to your friends via sole-sourced deals, I definitely don't feel bad about firing your scumbag asses.<br />
<br />
I need that money for my children. I need that money for my elderly parents. I need that money for my mortgage, for my skyrocketing hydro rates, for the skyrocketing fuel costs. I need that money to fix my leaking roof, and my cracking foundation, and to remove the mold from my flooding basement. I need that money to pay for my ever-rising cable bills, phone bills, cell phone bills, internet bills, UBB rates. I need that money for food for my family. I need that money to pay for my TTC fares to go to work.<br />
<br />
HOW DARE YOU TAKE MONEY FROM MY POCKET AND BLOW IT ON LAVISH UNDESERVING GIFTS, PARTIES AND RETREATS FOR YOURSELVES??!!! HOW DARE YOU GAMBLE MY MONEY AND LOSE IT IN THE STOCK MARKET??!!<br />
<br />
And after all of these revelations in the Auditor's report, the TCHC scumbag Board questions Super Mayor Rob Ford's request that they resign??? In fact, they defiantly question his request and scold him for even thinking about raising the question??<br />
<br />
To quote The Rock from the WWE, the TCHC Board Members Seriously Need to Know Their Roles, and Shut Their Mouths. (<i>I know, I know... Pretty much losing any kind of credibility in quoting a wrestler from the WWE, but I'll do so anyway, just because I know it will sting the leftist elitist Millerites in this city even more.</i>)<br />
<br />
Finally after today's emergency TCHC Board Meeting, they appear to have come back to reality, accepted their roles as incompetent scumbag criminals, and resigned as per Mayor Ford's wishes.<br />
<br />
That was probably their first correct decision in their entire tenure in the TCHC...freakin' jabronies.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/948101--outraged-by-audit-tchc-board-quits?bn=1" target="_blank">“Outraged” by audit, TCHC board quits</a><br />
<blockquote>In a stunning move the chair of Toronto Community Housing and its citizen board members tendered their resignations this morning amid an expenses and purchasing scandal at Toronto Community Housing.<br />
<br />
Board chair David Mitchell announced the news at the end a special meeting of the TCHC board held to answer to scathing reports submitted by auditor Jeff Griffiths. In total, seven people have resigned leaving two tenant representatives and four councillors on the board.<br />
<br />
Griffiths, whose reports included details of lavish Christmas parties and massages for staff, told the board meeting, that what he found “angered and outraged'” him and that his report uncovered a lack of common sense and disregard for taxpayers' funds.<br />
<br />
Board member and Councillor Frances Nunziata told reporters the mayor is bringing a motion to city council next week calling for the dismantling of the Toronto Community Housing board.<br />
<br />
Keiko Nakamura, the embattled CEO for the housing agency has declined the mayor's request to step aside and held to that position Thursday.<br />
<br />
Nakamura acknowledged there was inappropriate spending, that TCHC “failed'' and she apologized to residents.<br />
<br />
She said new financial controls have been put in place, and that a new senior procurement manager will be hired soon.</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/3607637910/sizes/o/" target="_blank"><br />
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/3607637910/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-62090657072856179512011-03-02T13:23:00.000-05:002011-03-02T13:23:14.774-05:00Rob Ford Will End Dalton McGuinty's Reign For Snubbing Toronto Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Lwvi8QlSqSdVNoyZ24yrBN0YLy0_i6f2X_ZcHsPP1CnYlzHXedc-1ujul0hN0BrxKaZTJW86vGgXguyy6UMLsQfz0g1XJtouYEd-8v0yBHklR_ZznIL5Dj7xQYojVG2ufK9fCJKVZm_C/s1600/TorontoFlags_by_Bitpicture_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Lwvi8QlSqSdVNoyZ24yrBN0YLy0_i6f2X_ZcHsPP1CnYlzHXedc-1ujul0hN0BrxKaZTJW86vGgXguyy6UMLsQfz0g1XJtouYEd-8v0yBHklR_ZznIL5Dj7xQYojVG2ufK9fCJKVZm_C/s640/TorontoFlags_by_Bitpicture_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It is no secret that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is a loyal Ottawa resident (born and raised), and like many Ontarians (and Canadians for that matter) who live outside of Toronto, he hates Toronto and Torontonians with all of his heart.<br />
<br />
Now, McGuinty is not an idiot (how else can you screw over Ontarians for 2 straight terms all the while convincing them that you are doing a good job and getting reelected?), and of course he will use every trick in the book to obviously not come out directly and confirm his hatred for Toronto, but this hatred can be easily seen with his constant rejection of Toronto's annual requests for funding assistance.<br />
<br />
McGuinty has had no problem whatsoever throwing Billions of dollars at all kinds of failed initiatives like eHealth and etc., but when Toronto basically comes begging to him every year to re-pick up Ontario's responsibility to fund Transit and help with road repairs and etc., without a second's though he dismisses Toronto every single time saying there's no money.<br />
<br />
I mean, his failure in funding education in Toronto has Toronto families being forced to go out there and fundraise for their children's schools so that they can get the text books they need and the computers they require. And he's suppose to be the Education Premier??? This is just yet another example of how Dalton McGuinty has failed Toronto.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, in Dalton McGuinty's Ontario, there is no place for Toronto (yet Toronto pays for Ontario's entire existence). All that Toronto gets from McGuinty's Ontario is constant tax hikes with nothing to show for it, except boondoggle after boondoggle after boondoggle after boondoggle.<br />
<br />
Well, that's it Mcguinty. Your party is over. And when Super Mayor Rob Ford sets his target on something, you can be sure that that target will be destroyed. Unfortunately for Dalton, Mayor Ford has his sights set directly on him now. And where Super Mayor Rob Ford goes, the Ford Nation will follow!<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Globe and Mail:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-mayor-vows-to-campaign-against-liberals-if-province-wont-boost-funds/article1926629/" target="_blank">Toronto mayor vows to campaign against Liberals if province won’t boost funds</a><br />
<blockquote>Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said he’s “absolutely” ready to play hardball with a provincial government reluctant to agree to his request for $150-million this year. And in a talk radio interview Wednesday morning he threatened to ensure the Liberals don’t get back into office at Queen’s Park following this fall’s election.<br />
<br />
“I haven’t talked to [Premier Dalton McGuinty] face to face about that request of $150-million. And if he says ‘No,’ obviously there’s a provincial election coming up,” Mr. Ford told Newstalk1010. “I want to work with him, not against him. But obviously if he’s not helping out the city, I’m going to have no choice but to work against him. I don’t want to do that.” <br />
<br />
While Mr. Ford insisted he doesn’t want to blame other levels of government for the city’s financial woes – something he accused his predecessor David Miller of doing too often – he said that if the province isn’t forthcoming with cash, he’d have “no other choice.” <br />
<br />
“If I need help from the province then I’ll ask for their help. And if they choose not to help us, then I have no other choice but to get out, as I call it, ‘Ford nation’ and make sure they’re not re-elected in the next election.” <br />
<br />
Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan continued to deny the province would send more funds. <br />
<br />
“That’s very interesting,” Mr. Duncan told reporters in response to Mr. Ford’s comments. “There is no more money,” he said, repeating the same blunt message he delivered on Monday. <br />
<br />
It is routine for Toronto to submit a prebudget wish list to the province. In fact, most of the items Mr. Ford lists are long-standing requests, including asking the province to pay half of the public-transit system's operating costs and to update a cost-sharing agreement for subsidized child-care spots. <br />
<br />
However, the city doesn't normally ask for one-time money to fix roads, according to former budget chief Shelley Carroll. This year, Mr. Ford and city staff are seeking $48.3-million in provincial cash to improve traffic lights ($16.7-million); untangle the Six Points intersection where Dundas, Bloor and Kipling meet ($15-million); and fix stretches of five major roads ($16.7-million).</blockquote><br />
Unfortunately for Dalton McGuinty, and fortunately for Ontario, Dalton is pretty much finished anyway. In the latest poll released by Vision Critical/Angus Reid, McGuinty has one of the worst approval ratings in the country at 16%, the same level that outgoing BC Premier Gordon Campbell had when he was tossed in the trash.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/947018--premier-dad-dalton-mcguinty-near-bottom-of-barrel-poll?bn=1" target="_blank">‘Premier Dad’ Dalton McGuinty near bottom of barrel: Poll</a><br />
<blockquote>Politicians often ignore polls but Premier Dalton McGuinty may want to take note of these numbers.<br />
<br />
Premier Dad has one of the worst approval ratings in the country at 16 per cent, according to a new Toronto Star/La Presse poll. Experts say this low level shows McGuinty is in trouble and he has to “reconnect” with voters well before the Oct. 6 election.<br />
<br />
Last November, McGuinty had the exact same 16 per cent approval rate, said Mario Canseco, vice-president of Vision Critical/Angus Reid, the company that conducted the poll.<br />
<br />
“As you get closer to the election in Ontario it is really the best moment to try and talk to those who voted for you and try to reconnect,” said Canseco. “It is not good to start the year at 16 per cent.”<br />
<br />
In fact, McGuinty’s approval rating sits at the same level as outgoing British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell. He fell out of voters’ good books after the introduction of the harmonized sales tax and resigned as leader of the B.C. Liberal party in November. <br />
<br />
Only scandal-ridden Quebec Premier Jean Charest — who shuffled his cabinet in early February and has faced calls for a public inquiry into organized crime, party finances and the construction industry — is lower with a 13 per cent approval rating.<br />
<br />
The poll asked voters about the performance of nine current premiers (PEI was not included because of its sample size). The online survey sampled 6,482 Canadians. In Ontario, 1,004 adults were surveyed and the margin of error was 3.1 percentage points.<br />
<br />
At Queen’s Park, McGuinty has been criticized by opposition leaders for missing the last four out of five question periods.<br />
<br />
McGuinty’s office said he is still meeting the legal requirement of attending at least two-thirds of question periods to avoid having his pay docked.</blockquote><br />
It's too bad for the Ontario Liberal Party that they are going to lose the majority of their seats because of Dalton McGuinty's arrogance. They've been begging the scumbag to step down and allow anyone else to run in his place, but he dismisses them in very much the same way that he's been dismissing Toronto.<br />
<br />
Come October, it will be McGuinty's time to be dismissed, and he can then join former Toronto Mayor David Miller, Mayoral Candidate George Smitherman, not to mention Adam Giambrone, Sandra Bussin and all the rest of those taxpayer-dollar-wasting scumbags in the garbage where he belongs.<br />
<br />
Man, I can't think of any one word that brings up so much anger and frustration in Ontarians moreso than "McGuinty" (actually, there is one name which does so around the world, but let's not go there...yet). As the poll showed above, at least 84% of Ontarians definitely agree with me.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlostracco/446158251/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlostracco/446158251/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlostracco/" target="_blank">Bitpicture</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-76160267128347871392011-03-02T11:59:00.000-05:002011-03-02T11:59:47.792-05:00TTC Doesn't Collect Fares, and then Blames Riders for Fare Cheating??<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXlZvvDhKI2_iuaj9muknTsEnzDXgeWOlKqPZ0wxUljaOJcx9yESeqZwQMbD3ZiuwVuzue__wRoqL6fjGTx2buHpjNFKiogtfd22njp0fQoC4L4Hb6lCxm9CV3zn10QGHd-jg-nwLgP7-/s1600/TTCStreetCarTrafficJam_by_Mihnea_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXlZvvDhKI2_iuaj9muknTsEnzDXgeWOlKqPZ0wxUljaOJcx9yESeqZwQMbD3ZiuwVuzue__wRoqL6fjGTx2buHpjNFKiogtfd22njp0fQoC4L4Hb6lCxm9CV3zn10QGHd-jg-nwLgP7-/s640/TTCStreetCarTrafficJam_by_Mihnea_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You know, the TTC never ceases to amaze me with their ultimate uselessness and constant failure.<br />
<br />
Today news came out that TTC Fare Cheating is on the rise (from the Toronto Star), meanwhile, just a few weeks ago, another story came out (from the Toronto Sun) about the TTC dismissing riders who were upset that a TTC Ticket Collection Booth in Wilson Station has Ticket Collectors who leave their post with no replacement to go to the washroom or for a smoke, happily allowing dozens of riders to ride for free without paying.<br />
<br />
Are these idiots serious?? And then they want to raise fares and add TTC Transit Cops to each and every TTC vehicle to stop this ridership fare cheating? How about you start by ensuring that you have more than 1 ticket collector at every station?? TTC Transit Cops on every vehicle...<br />
<br />
Man, every single one of these scumbags should be fired, and I'm not just talking about the TTC Union Members, I'm talking about the TTC Management as well.<br />
<br />
Firstly, here's the story from the Toronto Sun about the empty TTC Ticket Collection Booth:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/02/15/17287531.html" target="_blank">Toronto man upset by empty TTC fare booth</a><br />
<blockquote>Joel Lessam says he’s an honest guy making an honest living so he didn’t feel great about being forced to ride the subway without paying a fare Tuesday.<br />
<br />
“There was no attendant at the booth and I couldn’t find a token machine,” Lessam, 43, said, adding he didn’t have exact change. “I had no idea when the attendant would return, so I waited a few minutes and then, like the people ahead of me, I just walked through.”<br />
<br />
A sign on the Wilson station booth said the collector would return shortly and requested passengers pay their fare and enter.<br />
<br />
It’s a common occurrence when there’s a single collector working at a station, TTC spokesman Danny Nicholson said.<br />
<br />
“Obviously, the collector went the washroom, so the booth may be empty for a few minutes,” Nicholson said. “Unfortunately, it’s a staffing issue, it’s simply not cost effective to have two attendants at every station.”<br />
<br />
Lessam, a small business owner, doesn’t think it’s a good excuse.<br />
<br />
“I understand the call of nature and I don’t blame anyone for that. But to have no one at a busy station during rush hour? How can there not be some sort of backup?” Lessam said. “I have a staff of 30, and we’re able to offer 24/7 support to clients. If the TTC were privately run, this would never happen.”<br />
<br />
Lessam saw dozens of riders pass through the turnstiles in the three to four minutes he waited during the morning commute, hoping the ticket collector would return.<br />
<br />
“That’s a lot of missed revenue,” he said. “The TTC is an essential service. I have nothing against the employees but there needs to be better management.”<br />
<br />
He called the TTC customer service line, asking where he can send a $2.50 cheque to cover his fare but the representative told him sending a cheque was also not “cost effective” and not to worry about it.<br />
<br />
The call-taker said most people would have taken advantage of the situation and to consider the free ride a goodwill gesture from the TTC as his needs were not met.</blockquote><br />
Can you believe that they actually tried to make him feel like an idiot for looking out for the City of Toronto? He understands that the TTC Fares have been going up constantly every year, and the TTC is constantly crying that they don't have the funds they so desperately require. But does a person who is desperate for money turn down that money when it is practically being forced upon them? Do they decide arbitrarily to not collect fares when they are desperate for money? And worst of all, do they make the people who are trying to give them the money feel like idiots??<br />
<br />
Next, here's the story from the Toronto Star about the TTC Fare Cheaters:<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ttc/article/946909--fare-cheating-on-the-rise-at-ttc?bn=1" target="_blank">Fare cheating on the rise at TTC</a><br />
<blockquote>The TTC is trying to figure out why money lost to turnstile jumpers and riders who treat the fare box like a donation box doubled in 2010, costing the system about $22 million, or about 2 per cent of fare revenues.<br />
<br />
An unpublished draft report on the latest fare evasion audit shows that — after about five years of losing 1 per cent of revenue — losses to fare evasion jumped in 2010.<br />
<br />
Transit officials are at a loss to explain the spike and hope that it’s just an anomaly. But late last year, the TTC launched a new Fare is Fair program, whereby transit enforcement officers are targeting common methods of cheating.<br />
<br />
That includes the common practice of passing off invalid transfers by holding a thumb over the date or flashing it too quickly for the driver to notice. <br />
<br />
Cheating usually increases when there’s been a fare change, but that wasn’t the case last year, TTC chief general manager Gary Webster said Tuesday.<br />
<br />
In fact, the TTC has successfully taken steps to reduce some kinds of cheating, such as adding a hologram feature to Metropasses and eliminating adult tickets.<br />
<br />
“We don’t know if it’s a one-off. We think it might be. There’s nothing significantly that’s changed out there,” Webster said. He added: “We can’t afford not to be diligent.”<br />
<br />
The next audit, based on enforcement statistics and surveillance, will be conducted in May.<br />
<br />
Operators know that at crowded intersections some riders board using a Metropass and then pass it out a rear window to a friend waiting in line to get on, said transit workers union president Bob Kinnear, who believes the TTC significantly underestimates the amount it loses to cheaters.<br />
<br />
“Upwards of 10 per cent of people are evading fares,” said Kinnear, recalling his own years as a driver. There’s nothing bus drivers can do to stop the practice, he said.<br />
<br />
Many drivers are afraid of being assaulted if they confront riders who drop too little change in the fare box or try to board using expired transfers, said Kinnear, adding that TTC management blames workers for fare disputes.<br />
<br />
But mostly, drivers are loath to hold up a bus full of people trying to get home, he said.<br />
<br />
“Something the TTC really reinforces with employees is discretion,” Kinnear said. <br />
<br />
“Our operators are encouraged to collect our fares — the vast majority of our operators use very good judgment and they get to know when it’s fair to give people a break,” Webster said. “We want them to do their job… (but) we don’t expect them to put themselves at risk.”</blockquote><br />
I just can't understand how these idiots can keep a straight face half the time when they bring up these issues. All they end up doing is showing how clearly incompetent they are and how badly the TTC is in need of a complete gutting and overhaul.<br />
<br />
Help us Super Mayor Rob Ford!! It's time to break the TTC Union and clean house of the existing TTC Management and Brass.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallout/3358793478/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallout/3358793478/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallout/" target="_blank">Mihnea™</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-66801897175378973272011-03-02T10:02:00.000-05:002011-03-02T10:02:47.811-05:00TCHC Lost $41.4 Million of Housing Funds Gambling in the Stock Market?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpOhffVAWrCB_AGs36OFOOa7wYU1p5s2sGOhIlyAtW0icAj9VdNq-vDgy9DiJoElVChJHWQzKBiVWuP1hfCCKF5H9xRigdiHujHecPvVanufthRNTX9Ko5tIXTMEmc1_fkmtbR6MpcCdL/s1600/downtownToronto_by_04deveni_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpOhffVAWrCB_AGs36OFOOa7wYU1p5s2sGOhIlyAtW0icAj9VdNq-vDgy9DiJoElVChJHWQzKBiVWuP1hfCCKF5H9xRigdiHujHecPvVanufthRNTX9Ko5tIXTMEmc1_fkmtbR6MpcCdL/s640/downtownToronto_by_04deveni_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The news about the TCHC just gets worse and worse.<br />
<br />
Apparently the Toronto Community Housing Corp. (TCHC) took $75 Million it received from the 2008 sale of Hydro Telecom, and disgracefully lost $41.4 Million of it gambling in the stock market. The funds were suppose to be spent on refurbishing 5,000 TCHC social housing units.<br />
<br />
And these scumbags think that they did nothing wrong? None of the Board Members want to resign as per Mayor Ford's request. In fact, they are demanding a list of their wrongdoings, even after the release of the Auditor General's report??? (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/946794--housing-board-defies-ford-refuses-to-resign?bn=1" target="_blank">Housing board defies Ford, refuses to resign</a>)<br />
<br />
Seriously, only prison will give these criminals the life lesson that they need so, so badly.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/2011/02/28/17443361.html" target="_blank">Heads must roll at TCHC</a><br />
<blockquote>Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) chairman David Mitchell — handpicked by the David Miller regime in March of 2008 — actually had the audacity to stand before the media Monday and claim he was both “angry and indignant” with the obscene spending and purchasing abuses discovered at Canada’s largest social housing company in Toronto Auditor-General Jeff Griffiths’ Feb. 25 report.<br />
<br />
“I realized the people in whom I put my trust were not deserving of that trust ... frankly I feel betrayed,” said the deputy superintendent at the Metro East Detention Centre, throwing essentially all of TCHC’s former senior officials under the bus to cover his butt.<br />
<br />
CEO Keiko Nakamura, who made $217,617 in 2009 and was part of the executive team when the abuses occurred, claimed she was “appalled and outraged” that something like this could happen at TCHC. She insisted she conducted herself “with complete integrity” and has been trying to move the company forward since filling the position of CEO a year ago.<br />
<br />
There was no apology and no contrition. There was no acknowledgement by either that while the TCHC brass was enjoying $50,000 Christmas parties attended by 800 staff, $6,000 bonding sessions in Muskoka, $1,925 planning meetings at Elmwood Spa (complete with mani-pedis), and purchasing more than $5-million worth of fixtures, flooring, solar panels, toilets and sinks through a sole-source contract in China, many of their tenants have been living in squalid conditions, subject to security concerns and unable to access the most basic of repairs.<br />
<br />
Might I add, as budget chief Mike Del Grande reminded us Monday, the TCHC poured the $75-million it got in 2008 from the city’s sale of Hydro Telecom into the stock market — and lost $50-million of it — instead of of using it to refurbish 5,000 social housing units as it was supposed to do.<br />
<br />
Despite all of this, there was only a slick, less than sincere, series of pat answers from Mitchell and Nakamura that smacked of an entire weekend of pricey media training.<br />
<br />
When it came time to question the two of them, I suggested to Mitchell that he’d been chairman for three years — making some $20,000 per year and $500 per meeting to fulfill that function — and either he was terribly incompetent or complicit to have turned a blind eye to all the abuses.<br />
<br />
Mitchell claimed he accepts responsibility — but only for not asking enough questions of the senior brass. <br />
<br />
“I placed our trust in people which I now realize was misplaced,” he said. <br />
<br />
But the pregnant pause I got when I asked him whether he’d attended any of the $50,000 Christmas parties was far more telling.<br />
<br />
“Have I gone to any of the seasonal celebrations? Yes,” he said, adding he couldn’t remember how many. <br />
<br />
I also asked Nakamura — who approved the 2010 “seasonal celebration” despite her so-called attempts to bring in fiscal controls — why she didn’t blow the whistle on the TCHC’s culture of entitlement before the A-G did.<br />
<br />
She didn’t answer.</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/04deveni/3722975055/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/04deveni/3722975055/sizes/z/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/04deveni/" target="_blank">04deveni</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-41246547206350085632011-03-01T17:20:00.047-05:002011-03-02T09:47:09.814-05:00Toronto Community Housing Corp. (TCHC) Board & Staff Swam in "Gravy"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMSVMSnf3zDOvNB3zGp91SyeJ3ut5k1aP5_-Khyk1tI2iOxueDOsP1sDN5wU5n71mGtB4gwsbybabeH-HxDam9_6GXv2SosoSUd2WpUoNitup92_rqsfRNA3ZsfHQfNx-pUiXGBt-e2oo/s1600/RegentPark_by_Itdan_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMSVMSnf3zDOvNB3zGp91SyeJ3ut5k1aP5_-Khyk1tI2iOxueDOsP1sDN5wU5n71mGtB4gwsbybabeH-HxDam9_6GXv2SosoSUd2WpUoNitup92_rqsfRNA3ZsfHQfNx-pUiXGBt-e2oo/s640/RegentPark_by_Itdan_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
For the past few weeks, all we've been hearing from our friends on the left, like City Councillors Adam Vaughan and Gord Perks, not to mention our buddies at the Star and Globe, is <i>where's the gravy?. You said there was a tonne of gravy, gravy everywhere, nothing but gravy, yet, where's the gravy, Mayor Rob Ford?</i><br />
<br />
I would have loved to have seen their faces when they heard that this report about the TCHC was coming out. It must have been like a shattering of their hopes and dreams for the downfall of Rob Ford -and yes, they were concerned about Mayor Ford's <em>validation</em>, it had nothing to do with the wasted money.<br />
<br />
Well, here you go. The TCHC = GRAVY. And this is not just some cheap "just-add-water" gravy. This is that French Chef "made-from-scratch" kind of gravy. You know, the kind that the champions of taxpayer waste like our leftist City Council members love to dip into whenever they can. And the TCHC is just the beginning... As Councillor Doug Ford said, they are just starting to scratch the surface..<br />
<br />
What do you have to say for yourselves now, Vaughan, Perks, Carroll and you other leftist scumbag City Councillors? You've been trying to hide the gravy, but unfortunately for you, former Mayor David Miller -your fearless "Lord of the Gravy"- is long gone and suddenly you have to deal with a leader who actually understands what "respect for the taxpayers" means. A Leader who understands what accountability means. <br />
<br />
Oh man, is your party over.<br />
<br />
Here's a list of some of the TCHC spending abuses from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/02/28/17443676.html" target="_blank">List of TCHC spending abuses</a><br />
<blockquote>Here’s a rundown of some of the inappropriate expenses flagged by Toronto auditor general Jeff Griffiths in his audit of Toronto Community Housing:<br />
<br />
•$40,000 for a Christmas dinner at a local banquet hall in December 2009. A similar event in 2008 cost $53,500 and the price tag has yet to come in on the 2010 party.<br />
<br />
•$1,925 spent for a “divisional planning meeting” at the Elmwood Spa. The meeting included a three-course lunch, pedicures, manicures and water therapy for eight staffers.<br />
<br />
•$6,000 off-site planning session in Muskoka<br />
<br />
•$3,000 for a two-day staff planning session at a resort in Alliston<br />
<br />
•$1,850 on a four-hour boat cruise for “staff training and development.”<br />
<br />
•Various expenditures on staff birthday parties paid by the TCHC<br />
<br />
•$1,000 on Holt Renfrew chocolates for staff gifts<br />
<br />
•$1,004 for gift cards recognizing staff achievements<br />
<br />
•Almost $5,000 claimed by one staffer for “entertainment” just in 2009 at Barberian’s Steak House on Elm St.<br />
<br />
•The auditor found “significant hospitality expenditures for staff relating to seasonal festivities.”<br />
<br />
•Various expenditures at a number of golf courses outside Toronto apparently for meals.<br />
<br />
•$800 for four chair massage practitioners to provide short relaxation massages for staff at a summer picnic<br />
<br />
•A cheque for $8,500 was issued to an employee in July 2009 for expenses but to date no expense report has been submitted.<br />
<br />
•A cheque for $700 was issued to an employee without any documentation or a supervisor’s approval.<br />
<br />
•An employee was reimbursed $1,000 based on a supplier’s invoice as proof of payment. Records show TCHC had already paid the invoice.<br />
<br />
•Two employees were reimbursed for expense claims that included purchases already charged to their corporate purchasing cards.<br />
<br />
•Photocopies of gift cards totaling $500 were accepted as receipts. The cards have no numbers and do not show their value and it is impossible to ensure it wasn’t one gift card copied several times.</blockquote>And for those of you who are interested in reviewing the Auditor's report for yourselves, here are the applicable PDF file links from the TCHC website:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://torontohousing.ca/" target="_blank">Toronto Community Housing Corp. (TCHC) Website</a><br />
<a href="http://torontohousing.ca/webfm_send/7067" target="_blank">Summary Cover Page - Procurement Policies and Procedures</a><br />
<a href="http://torontohousing.ca/webfm_send/7068" target="_blank">Auditor General's Report - Procurement Policies and Procedures - Appendix 1</a><br />
<a href="http://torontohousing.ca/webfm_send/7069" target="_blank">Management Response - Procurement Policies and Procedures - Appendix 2</a><br />
<a href="http://torontohousing.ca/webfm_send/7064" target="_blank">Summary Cover Page - Controls Over Employee Expenses</a><br />
<a href="http://torontohousing.ca/webfm_send/7065" target="_blank">Auditor General's Report - Controls Over Employee Expenses - Appendix 1</a><br />
<a href="http://torontohousing.ca/webfm_send/7066" target="_blank">Management Response - Controls Over Employee Expenses - Appendix 2</a><br />
<br />
So, who are the people responsible for this travesty, you ask? Well, let's start with the following people:<br />
<br />
1. Former Mayor David Miller<br />
<br />
As the former Mayor of Toronto, David Miller was a shining example to all City Staff on how to waste taxpayer money and completely avoid accountability. It was from David Miller's example that all of the various wasteful City Department Heads and Staff felt that it was their entitled right to spend taxpayer money without even the slightest concern for the taxpayer. If you want to put the #1 blame on someone, it is David Miller. And don't listen to the Miller sympathizers out there, as they will claim that a previous Auditor Report (the Bellamy Report) was produced on his watch. What they won't tell you however is what exactly David Miller did about it after the report was released. They won't tell you, because there is nothing to tell. He did absolutely nothing. Pretty much the same thing that he accomplished as Mayor, absolutely nothing. <br />
<br />
What would a <em>real</em> leader do if he/she was in David Miller's place. Well, look at Rob Ford, and see what's going to happen this week. I'm sure every single taxpayer-dollar-wasting scumbag City Staff member is shaking in their Armani suits at what Rob Ford is going to do next. This is what Toronto needs. It's called accountability.<br />
<br />
<em>Ok, ok... Saying David Miller did nothing as mayor is not true. He did bring forth this culture of entitlement that we keep hearing about... That is Mayor Miller's legacy</em>.<br />
<br />
2. Former Budget Chief and current City Councillor, Shelley Carroll.<br />
<br />
All of this happened under the supposed watch of former Budget Chief under David Miller, Shelley Carroll. And the outing of the TCHC is just the beginning. After Mayor Ford is done auditing every single department and arms-length agency within the City of Toronto, slowly it will become apparent that this is all the fault of a useless and wasteful former Budget Chief who had absolutely no morals when throwing hard-earned Toronto Taxpayer money into the trash. Every time one of these wasteful departments/agencies asked for more money, there was Shelley Carroll holding the public purse throwing money at them without question. Carroll can't be trusted to run a lemonade stand, let alone an entire city's finances...<br />
<br />
3. Former TCHC CEO Derek Ballantyne <br />
<br />
Ballantyne was the leader under which all of these disgraceful and borderline illegal spending practices were not only permitted, but it seems, encouraged. Ballantyne is currently the Chief Operating Officer and EVP at Build Toronto (another City of Toronto agency).<br />
<br />
Mayor Ford said that he is going to deal with Ballantyne before the end of this week. <br />
<br />
Nothing short of prison-time will suffice for this ultimate scumbag. Let's see his buddy David Miller help him now...<br />
<br />
4. Toronto City Councillors Paula Fletcher and Giorgio Mammoliti<br />
<br />
Both of these scumbag Councillors sat on the TCHC Board of Directors, and both claim that they were kept in the dark about these spending boondoggles. At least Councillor Mammoliti seemed to have tried to raise flags about some of these issues. However, Councillor Paula Fletcher actually tried to justify this calling them "growing pains" (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ford-calls-for-purge-at-housing-agency-after-auditor-finds-misspending/article1923790/singlepage/#articlecontent" target="_blank">Ford calls for purge at housing agency after auditor finds misspending</a>).<br />
<br />
As I've told you before, former Communist party leader Paula Fletcher believes in the idea that the priviliged few should benefit from the taxes of the many, and she and her husband (Union Leader John Cartwright) have embraced this ideology through the absolute wasteful spending of Toronto Taxpayer dollars. <br />
<br />
Paula Fletcher is an absolute disgrace, and those of you in her ward who reelected her, I'm sorry to say this, but you are morons. You are just as responsible for her travesties as she is, and you can put that in your leftist pinko unionized pipes and smoke it.<br />
<br />
5. TCHC Board Members<br />
<br />
David Mitchell (Chair) <br />
Zahra Dhanani (Director)<br />
Michelle Joseph (Director)<br />
Greg Kalil (Director)<br />
Dan King (Director) (Tenant) <br />
Carol Osler (Director)<br />
Sheerin A. Sheikh (Director)<br />
Ronald Struys (Director)<br />
Catherine Wilkinson (Director) (Tenant) <br />
<br />
These Board Members should not only resign immediately, but they should be put in prison. And don't listen to their crap that they feel betrayed, and didn't know this was going on, all the while attending these lavish Christmas parties and Corporate events... These scumbags happily stole from us taxpayers without a second's thought about not only the money they were wasting, but also the unfortunate people to whom this money was actually designated.<br />
<br />
Board Chair David Mitchell talks about how the TCHC program shouldn't have to pay the price for their failed governance (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ford-calls-for-purge-at-housing-agency-after-auditor-finds-misspending/article1923790/singlepage/#articlecontent" target="_blank">Ford calls for purge at housing agency after auditor finds misspending</a>), but unfortunately, it's too late for that. Maybe he should have thought of that when he was sipping champagne at the Christmas party, or when receiving massages and mani-pedis at the taxpayers expense.<br />
<br />
He's nothing but a criminal. If he truly cares, then he should turn himself into the Police.<br />
<br />
6. Current TCHC Executive Team, including Current TCHC CEO Keiko Nakamura<br />
<br />
Keiko Nakamura (Chief Executive Officer)<br />
Mitzie Hunter (Chief Administrative Officer)<br />
Len Koroneos (Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer) <br />
Bronwyn Krog (Vice President and Chief Development Officer) <br />
Deborah Simon (Chief Operating Officer) <br />
Howie Wong (General Counsel) <br />
<br />
If these scumbags haven't been fired already, then it's time to kick them to the curb. And not only that, they too should be placed in Police custody with charges pending.<br />
<br />
And can you believe the audacity of CEO Nakamura claiming first of all to not know about this, and secondly that she had nothing to do with it? Yes, I understand that she just started as CEO in February 2010, but she was the Chief Operating Officer for years under Ballantyne. Acting all innocent... She is guilty either way. If she didn't know about these offences, then she failed as a Leader in enforcing policy and accountability. If she did know, then she's as guilty as everyone else. In either case, she should be inprisoned. She must think that David Miller still runs the place with her high-hopes to hold onto her $200K+ a year job (as if that wasn't enough).<br />
<br />
7. TCHC Managers and Staff<br />
<br />
Every single staff member who received any kind of perk mentioned in the Auditors report should be fired. "Oh, that's unfair, they had no control over that." Well, did they report it? Or did they just accept these gifts, parties, massages, mani-pedis and resort visits without question? What could they possibly have done to actually be truly deserving of these gifts?? Their jobs??? Give me a break! When the people who are in the Toronto Community Housing were suffering and raising complaints, what did these employees and managers do to help them? Oh, they went to a golf resort to discuss it, ah I see... You're fired!<br />
<br />
The fact is that the entire TCHC needs to be disbanded and replaced with a subsidy-based system that works with the private-sector (exactly what Mayor Ford wants to do).<br />
<br />
The TCHC should be made a serious example of, it's that simple. And the way to do that is not only by getting back every single penny that was wasted via garnishing of the future wages of the fired Board Members, Executive team and Staff, but also via the criminal charges of each and every one of these scumbags. <br />
<br />
This is not David Miller's Toronto anymore. It's not Shelley Carroll's, or Adam Vaughan's, or Gord Perks', or Paula Fletcher's, or Pam McConnell's, or Joe Mihevc's Toronto anymore. This kind of abuse of taxpayer money is no longer acceptable, and those who do it should be punished to the full extent possible.<br />
<br />
This is a city that has been given back to its citizens, the taxpayers, and we have the leadership of Super Mayor Rob Ford to thank for it.<br />
<br />
The Party is over folks, and the hangover that these scumbags are going to be feeling for the next few years, oh man, they're in for a nightmare.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ltdan/2373730079/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ltdan/2373730079/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ltdan/" target="_blank">ltdan</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-16308483335966666072011-02-10T14:28:00.002-05:002011-02-10T14:36:09.424-05:00Canadian Internet Bandwidth Costs Less Than $0.05 / GB & Dropping Fast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwO2Vu41qRPW5ZYnxCdWmn4GrbpYf_kEZeyo1T7-6nEJGSgAhpjk1bflho4laPB5r4WtGyvkbCtlglUloUMVFYYRDTOm75KlvUCjsc8rMGsdfabA5ZfXYa_l6zbhehUDY2-kKUFyWfXlB/s1600/Stopthemeter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwO2Vu41qRPW5ZYnxCdWmn4GrbpYf_kEZeyo1T7-6nEJGSgAhpjk1bflho4laPB5r4WtGyvkbCtlglUloUMVFYYRDTOm75KlvUCjsc8rMGsdfabA5ZfXYa_l6zbhehUDY2-kKUFyWfXlB/s640/Stopthemeter.png" width="569" /></a></div><br />
Despite what the major Canadian ISPs and the Corrupt CRTC would have you believe about the actual cost of Internet bandwidth in Canada, the true cost is barely pennies per GB, and even that cost is dropping rapidly.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Vancouver Sun (by David Buffer, CEO of Radiant Communications Inc., an independent ISP):<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/CRTC+Internet+decision+gouges+users/4215043/story.html" target="_blank">CRTC Internet decision gouges users</a><br />
<blockquote>Canada lags in broadband performance (speed and price) relative to other developed nations -- and many developing countries. At the same time, all components and costs required to deliver Internet access have gone down, and yet prices for Canadian consumers are going up. Why is that? <br />
<br />
For the first time, the recent CRTC ruling uses a retail-minus approach, which means that consumers will pay significantly more for additional usage than the actual costs incurred. What may not be widely understood is how much that extra capacity costs: it's nowhere near the inflated overage fees that the large Internet service providers want to now charge. <br />
<br />
The cost associated with transmission and switching on a modern network is a non-issue -- less than five cents per gigabyte and dropping fast. <br />
<br />
If the CRTC ruling survives federal government scrutiny, however, consumers will be paying in excess of $2 per gigabyte. (That's about a 400-per-cent markup.) <br />
<br />
Simply put, consumers are getting gouged and have little choice in the matter because Canada has little competition in the Internet service market. <br />
<br />
A Jan. 28 article in The Vancouver Sun, "Usage-based billing: A concept whose time has come," mentions that the major players invest large amounts of private capital to maintain the infrastructure. However, much of our present infrastructure was built almost entirely under the protection of a government monopoly, outright subsidies and foreign ownership restrictions placing barriers to protect large providers. Canadian citizens paid for the infrastructure long ago. <br />
<br />
A quick look at quarterly financials reveals that only a very small fraction of the revenue made today by the large telcos is invested back into maintaining an aging network that the "big three" haven't improved in many years but from which they've made huge profits. <br />
<br />
The "it costs money" argument doesn't hold water for major Internet service providers. <br />
<br />
What this CRTC ruling is really about is protecting incumbent telco businesses and delivering profits to their shareholders. There is no harm in private corporations doing this but it's being done in an anti-competitive manner. <br />
<br />
There is an inherent conflict-of-interest to cry foul about Internet congestion, while in the same breath promoting their companies' video and Internet TV assets. <br />
<br />
For instance, if a customer subscribes to IP-TV with an ISP (Netflix, for example), the video downloads are subject to the user-based billing. <br />
<br />
If a customer subscribes to IP-TV with Bell or Telus, the downloads are not subject to user-based billing.<br />
<br />
With the recent CRTC decision, Canadian consumers and businesses that are already paying the highest costs for the Internet in the developed world will now also be paying inflated usage rates. <br />
<br />
That translates into poor international competitiveness, poor productivity, reduced investment infrastructure, stifled innovation and consumer choice.</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/about/vfinckenstein.htm" target="_blank">Konrad von Finckenstein</a>, the Corrupt head of the CRTC (whose right-hand man <a href="http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/about/katz.htm" target="_blank">Len Katz</a> worked for decades for both Rogers and Bell, and obviously is looking out for his former employers' best interests), gave horrifyingly irresponsible, uneducated and completely ignorant testimony to Parliament which only showed how completely uninformed and utterly out-of-his-element he is when dealing with the modern innovation that is the Internet. <br />
<br />
Fink talked about applying discipline on Canadians who want to use more bandwidth, instead of pushing for Canadians to embrace the Internet and move to the forefront of innovation on the web. With great innovation, comes a greater need for more bandwidth, I mean, that's common knowledge (at least to those who have a clue about the Internet).<br />
<br />
Yet we hear Fink talking about how he only uses the Internet to check his email, so why should he have to pay for someone else to do all kinds of other things on the web. This kind of backwards thinking in the hands of someone who holds so much power in the industry is going to be catastrophic for Canada. It's like sending in a 2 year-old to perform heart surgery on our Prime Minister. Fink is just not mentally equipped to be able to handle this kind of discussion.<br />
<br />
His backward thinking also likes to compare the Internet to utilities, so the more you use, the more you pay. But really the Internet should be thought of like a Newspaper, where regardless of whether you only want to read the business section, or if you want to read the entire newspaper, you still have to pay a certain price. Or, we can look at it like the Internet is the sidewalk. Do we expect people who walk more on the sidewalk to pay more taxes for that usage? (Yes, we can come up with analogies that work the other way as well, Fink.)<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, Canadians' usage of Internet bandwidth is only going to skyrocket exponentially in the near future, especially as more innovations and content rich technology becomes available online. And applying usage-based-rates on this potential bandwidth usage is only going to make it absolutely unaffordable for Canadians to access the Internet.<br />
<br />
Maybe this is what Fink is going for? I mean, how else can you explain it...<br />
<br />
And now the CRTC happens to have decided to rethink their decision, right? Oh yeah, now that Canadians are actually listening... My question is, why didn't the CRTC do their full research before they made this stupid decision? And on top of that, how many decisions have been made in the past based purely on the ask of Bell/Rogers, and with absolutely no research going into it on their own? What do we even have the CRTC for, if not to look out for Canadians' best interests? What exactly are they doing??<br />
<br />
What a disgrace. Not only should Fink step down, but he should be put in prison for negligence. The entire CRTC board needs to go through a drastic audit review for corruption, as that is the only way to explain how negligent decisions like these are being made on an ongoing basis by this group of corrupt finks.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Did you see this article about Bell's usage tracker failing and overestimating its customers Internet usage by between 50% and 200%?!! Bell can't even track people's usage correctly, and then they make claims about traffic congestion and people needing to be charged based on their usage??? And the CRTC makes decisons based on the word of Bell without doing any research on their own??? Failure... That's the only way to explain the CRTC. Absolute and utter failure.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Montreal Gazette:<br />
<a href="http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Bell+faces+biggest+backlash+ever/4255411/story.html" target="_blank">Bell faces its biggest backlash ever - Online use tracker proves faulty</a><br />
<blockquote>Bell Canada has removed the tool its uses to monitor consumers' Internet data usage and started reversing charges to some customers amid one of the biggest consumer backlashes in the company's history. <br />
<br />
Furor over the usage-based billing (UBB) issue reached new heights yesterday after the company posted an acknowledgment that the online tool -meant to allow customers to track data usage so they don't go over their monthly cap -was faulty. <br />
<br />
"We have identified an issue that may have caused Internet usage shown on this site to be incorrect in some cases. In order to ensure we provide reliable information to all of our clients, the usage tracker will be unavailable while we resolve the issue," said the message. <br />
<br />
Bell has been blasted by smaller Internet service providers and the public for trying to push its usage-based billing practices onto smaller ISPs that use its network. <br />
<br />
A Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision would have allowed it to impose the controversial practice before the federal government got involved last week and ordered the CRTC to reconsider. <br />
<br />
The company said software it purchased to track customer accounts was faulty and that new software was being obtained. <br />
<br />
The Internet usage tracker was being taken off-line until the new software could be tested.<br />
<br />
The spokeswoman also said any charges due to the error, which can be as high as $2.50 for every gigabyte over a customer's cap, have been reversed. The company did not respond when asked if it would begin a historical audit of customer accounts. <br />
<br />
Response by consumers, many of whom have added their names to a petition against UBB that has collected more than 400,000 signatures, was immediate yesterday. <br />
<br />
Bell customers complained that the Internet usage tracker was overestimating their Internet use by between 50 and 200 per cent and cited the problem as another reason why UBB should not be allowed. <br />
<br />
Steve Anderson, founder of OpenMedia.ca,the grass-roots consumer organization fighting UBB, said the outcry is justified. Anderson is due to speak about UBB before a parliamentary committee later today. <br />
<br />
"This underlines the whole problem -there is no accountability or transparency," said Anderson. <br />
<br />
"One of the reasons people are so upset about this is because they have experience with this sort of thing with cellphones. <br />
<br />
"It's a bit of a black box. There are tools you can use to look at it, but there are discrepancies." <br />
<br />
Anderson argued that the average consumer shouldn't have to personally track Internet usage to make sure bills are accurate. <br />
<br />
"This is definitely the worst time for Bell to have problems with their billing system," said Anderson.</blockquote><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/M3G7f.png" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/M3G7f.png</a> by <a href="http://stopthemeter.ca/" target="_blank">stopthemeter.ca</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-40143464633689400212011-02-10T10:11:00.001-05:002011-02-10T10:14:02.154-05:00Super Mayor Rob Ford to end "Jobs for life" for Toronto City Workers!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlkkGhF3RV98kRLwA-yXDDItjrZuO_TgshY4RBLgfVkMR4Wt0a9PJxozVXFoQOhVKFlTRRKCq7FnRvHX4afgrTbYB-cwEo_gBrcZeJe3UMs6cJSJz8e-SDjC7pt2Euf-D36lA85SjyIOW/s1600/TorontoGarbageStrike_by_TorontoCityLife_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlkkGhF3RV98kRLwA-yXDDItjrZuO_TgshY4RBLgfVkMR4Wt0a9PJxozVXFoQOhVKFlTRRKCq7FnRvHX4afgrTbYB-cwEo_gBrcZeJe3UMs6cJSJz8e-SDjC7pt2Euf-D36lA85SjyIOW/s640/TorontoGarbageStrike_by_TorontoCityLife_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Finally, a Toronto Mayor who looks out for the Toronto taxpayer and who actually makes logical decisions.<br />
<br />
Toronto's Super Mayor Rob Ford will look to end the sweetheart contract clause of "Jobs for life" for the 13,000 Toronto City workers, a move that's been a long time coming.<br />
<br />
"Jobs for life" is a ridiculous concept which makes absolutely no sense, and is completely unaffordable especially in a time of recession. Torontonians are being taxed beyond recognition, and as much as the Union would like to try and manipulate Torontonians with the rhetoric around people going after other people's jobs & job security and that this is the rich targeting the elimination of the middle class (oh, give me a break!), the reality is that the Union simply priced themselves out of work. In terms of feeling sympathy for the Union, their past behaviour made that boat sail a long time ago.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/936073--ford-targets-jobs-for-life-security-with-city-unions" target="_blank">Ford targets 'jobs for life' security with city unions</a><br />
<blockquote>City of Toronto negotiators will push hard to strip city workers of “jobs for life” contract guarantees, says Councillor Doug Ford, setting his brother’s administration on a collision course with the city’s unions.<br />
<br />
The bold push aimed at opening the door to widespread contracting-out of services, including cleaning and grass-cutting, dramatically elevates the risk of a lockout or strike after the CUPE Local 416’s contract expires Dec. 31, say political and labour observers.<br />
<br />
Certain contract provisions guarantee any member whose job is contracted-out another equal or lower position with the city.<br />
<br />
In a brief telephone interview with the Star on Wednesday, the brother and closest adviser of Mayor Rob Ford said: “We’re going to target ‘jobs for life’ whenever we can, because nobody should have a job for life.<br />
<br />
“I can tell you we’ll go after it in every negotiation we can. I can’t say we’ll be successful, but I can say we’ll give it one hell of a try.”<br />
<br />
Ford’s team said the job-security contract clauses are the only thing preventing them from contracting out pick-up city-wide.<br />
<br />
Doug Holyday, the deputy mayor and chair of the city’s labour relations committee, sounded cautious about tackling the thorny issue.<br />
<br />
Holyday noted that, in 2002, then-mayor Mel Lastman triggered a 16-day strike by trying to water down job-security provisions that guaranteed permanent workers with 10 years’ service couldn’t lose their jobs to outsourcing. Queen’s Park forced arbitration that strengthened the job security language.<br />
<br />
In 2005, Mayor David Miller extended the contract provision to all permanent employees.<br />
<br />
David Doorey, a professor of employment and labour law at York University, is predicting the job security battle will trigger either a lockout or a strike in 2012, and the Ford administration will try to hire private contractors to pick up the trash.</blockquote><br />
I completely agree 100% with Doug Ford that there is absolutely no justification for "jobs for life" in today's world. The only way that a job should be guaranteed is through performance and availability. If you are a high performer, and if the position is available, then you should be able to keep your job. If an employer can find someone else to perform the same job at either a lower price, or at a higher rate of performance for the same price, then you should be gone. Improve yourself or fall behind, I mean, that is a basic concept in a forward moving/thinking society.<br />
<br />
Not to mention that having a clause which forces the City to provide replacement jobs for workers who have no business or experience in performing those replacement jobs, is truly a recipe for disaster. It's already a mission to get anything done by the city and it takes far longer and costs far more than it should. Then you want to fill certain positions with workers who have no experience or knowledge performing the roles?? That's not hiring the best people for the job. That's not ensuring that Toronto gets the top tier of services for Torontonians who break their backs paying constantly rising taxes. That is mediocrity, a term that has become synonymous with the Toronto City Workers' Unions.<br />
<br />
The Unions can bitch and cry and whine, and frankly, Torontonians just don't give a damn anymore. There have been countless times that Toronto has asked its workers to take one for the team, and every single time the Unions have given Torontonians the finger. When the Unions were striking in the past, did they care about how that would impact other Torontonians' ability to get to work or to access their jobs? Did they care about the impact it would have on other Torontonians' lives? No they didn't. Yet, they expect us to have sympathy for them? This is it. This was coming, and if you didn't expect it Unionites, then you truly are ignorant.<br />
<br />
Strikes... Yes, yes, strikes... You know what? <strong><u>BRING IT!</u></strong> Torontonians, make sure you take advantage of all city services that you require asap, because there will be strikes and this time we're in it for the long haul.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/3724958079/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/3724958079/sizes/z/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/" target="_blank">torontocitylife</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-49427218174411471422011-02-09T12:08:00.003-05:002011-02-09T12:11:31.403-05:00Councillors Filion, Mihevc & Moeser Reject Salary Increase Cancellation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCYEd8kg9PuJQU71FBWUUcqpuhf8BJGyZwQ-N9uVY97CseffSryJKK2cIe-8y2CRcUhvHDJEnn-LYz6r5UGlzTuImdkH0Hr3m9NK08nK6np6c2J078OlaSbcXl4T5EHVbblDDtt9KQa-q/s1600/TorontoCityCouncilChambers_by_ShaunMerritt_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCYEd8kg9PuJQU71FBWUUcqpuhf8BJGyZwQ-N9uVY97CseffSryJKK2cIe-8y2CRcUhvHDJEnn-LYz6r5UGlzTuImdkH0Hr3m9NK08nK6np6c2J078OlaSbcXl4T5EHVbblDDtt9KQa-q/s640/TorontoCityCouncilChambers_by_ShaunMerritt_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Toronto City Councillors voted yesterday on whether to cancel their scheduled cost-of-living salary increase, as a symbolic gesture to all Toronto City Staff and Torontonians that the David Miller-time of tax-waste-and-spend is over, and the time for fiscal prudence and belt-tightening has come, and that even extends to our voted representatives.<br />
<br />
And following the lead of Super Mayor Rob Ford, Council voted 39 to 3 in favour of cancelling the increase! Good for you Toronto Councillors, you have made us proud!<br />
<br />
It's unfortunate that Councillors Filion, Mihevc (big surprise there) and Moeser chose to thumb their noses at Torontonians and still request more money while asking other City Departments to cut-back. Great example you're setting, scumbags.<br />
<br />
Here are the official results of the vote from the Toronto.ca website (which now features full details of Council Vote results and other useful things like video and etc.: <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&decisionBodyId=261#Meeting-2011.CC3" target="_blank">Toronto City Council and Committees - City Council (2010-2014)</a>):<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.MM3.2" target="_blank">Cancellation of Consumer Price Index Increase for 2011 for Mayor and Councillors - by Councillor Mike Del Grande, seconded by Councillor Doug Ford</a><br />
<blockquote>Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Feb-08-2011 4:59 PM<br />
<br />
Result: Carried Majority Required - MM3.2 - Adopt item as amended <br />
<br />
Yes: 39 Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailăo, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Michael Thompson, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam <br />
<br />
No: 3 John Filion, Joe Mihevc, Ron Moeser <br />
<br />
Absent: 3 Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Pam McConnell</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4560271309/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4560271309/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-87416238861423626822011-02-07T23:36:00.000-05:002011-02-07T23:36:43.494-05:00Toronto Union Heads Kinnear & Ferguson Crying Like Spoiled Babies...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynfVTCX19l5p4O4M81LjQw_1tYyt7tQH6YvyGHwf7a8cfcB434ov40jkfIz8iyalpxAxoIfOewIXOL1eiuyTH-P4sdTBnsjNVwqfUHuosh7WwRKzUkrQd-H6EspYuLJO3TAlVdPatfIAY/s1600/TorontoUnionsStrike_By_TorontoCityLife_and_jbcurio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynfVTCX19l5p4O4M81LjQw_1tYyt7tQH6YvyGHwf7a8cfcB434ov40jkfIz8iyalpxAxoIfOewIXOL1eiuyTH-P4sdTBnsjNVwqfUHuosh7WwRKzUkrQd-H6EspYuLJO3TAlVdPatfIAY/s640/TorontoUnionsStrike_By_TorontoCityLife_and_jbcurio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Can you hear that Toronto? Isn't it one of the most pleasant sounds you've heard in a while in Toronto (excluding Rob Ford winning the election of course)?<br />
<br />
Yes, yes, in case you didn't guess it, it's the crying whines of Toronto's TTC Union Head Bob Kinnear, and Toronto's Garbage Collectors Union Head Mark Ferguson! I don't think Torontonians have ever been so happy to hear the cries of spoiled babies.<br />
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Every time I hear one of these scumbags talk these days, it just makes me smile.<br />
<br />
National Post: <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/02/03/ttc-wont-strike-during-contract-negotiations-kinnear/#ixzz1DKmAAAkb" target="_blank">TTC won’t strike during contract negotiations: Kinnear</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>Bob Kinnear, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 announced Thursday that the union has agreed to not strike or disrupt service during upcoming contract negotiations.<br />
<br />
“We will act as if essential service law was already in effect,” he said.<br />
<br />
“There is no longer a necessity to ram through legislation,” said Mr. Kinnear.</blockquote>Isn't that crying from Kinnear just like music to your ears? It is to mine! :)<br />
<br />
Toronto Sun: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/02/07/17188356.html" target="_blank">Union trashes Ford's contracting-out plan</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>Mark Ferguson, president of the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union, Local 416, accused Ford of taking an “irresponsible and wrong-headed approach to the delivery of city services.<br />
<br />
“It’s clear to us that this administration is attempting to demonize their own employees to justify a contracting-out scenario,” he said.<br />
<br />
“I don’t expect that we’re going to be taking a strike in January, I think there is a very real possibility that this administration will lock out its own employees,” he said.<br />
<br />
While the city said it would open up bidding to the union, Ferguson said his local is in “no position to bid.”<br />
<br />
“These proposals from the Ford administration are not about saving money, this is a purely ideological attack on the public sector and to do a favour to his friends on Bay St,” he said.</blockquote>"Waaaaaaaaah", cried the whining Ferguson, as he watched his kingdom crumble down around him! :)<br />
<br />
Thank you Mayor Rob Ford, finally we Torontonians will have our revenge...I mean justice.<br />
<br />
Do you all remember how smug Mark Ferguson was last year while he allowed his union members to strike for what seemed like forever? Oh Fergie, what are you going to do now? At least you all have your banked sick days, right? Yeah, right.<br />
<br />
And Bob Kinnear, I hope that Rob Ford just does exactly the opposite of everything you ever request, just because the opposite of what you want is what's best for Toronto, every time. $70,000 cleaners, and $100,000 bus drivers and ticket collectors?? You all have the biggest scam going on on Toronto taxpayers, it's ridiculous. <br />
<br />
Too bad your bag man, David Miller, has been tossed in the trash. It's so great to finally see you all waking up to reality.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/3741514124/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/3741514124/sizes/z/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocitylife/" target="_blank">torontocitylife</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/2442592720/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/2442592720/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/" target="_blank">jbcurio</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-49423986953067962562011-02-05T09:49:00.000-05:002011-02-05T09:49:57.768-05:00Toronto Public Servants Take An Average of 10.4 Sick Days a Year?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlG_9nbfcPrvWmZDyGmPUWCwyv7NnoYOsFV9CUGtMo3sSWH04LB_XKH2ZO-Q6uV7fvQpgEjcKKqFzECwh_9d_g5se6dMvRPA9CTUUcDtY3SzRxIuGZdWzAnIlTq4x5jl2RYoUtl3Xrzwr/s1600/CityHallFountains_by_MarkWatmough_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlG_9nbfcPrvWmZDyGmPUWCwyv7NnoYOsFV9CUGtMo3sSWH04LB_XKH2ZO-Q6uV7fvQpgEjcKKqFzECwh_9d_g5se6dMvRPA9CTUUcDtY3SzRxIuGZdWzAnIlTq4x5jl2RYoUtl3Xrzwr/s1600/CityHallFountains_by_MarkWatmough_on_flickr.jpg" /></a></div><br />
You know, this is just craziness... <br />
<br />
I don't know of even one company in the private sector that would allow one employee to take 10 sick days in one year without serious documentation, yet the entire Toronto Public Service takes an average of 10.4 sick days every year? What the hell is going on?<br />
<br />
Here's the quote from the Globe and Mail:<br />
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<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/02/04/chris-selley-it-is-fair-to-judge-malfunctioning-ttc-employees/" target="_blank">Chris Selley: It is ‘fair’ to judge malfunctioning TTC employees</a><br />
<blockquote>Toronto public servants take an average of 10.4 sick days a year, according to a budget briefing note prepared by human resources. That’s 50% higher than the provincial average. It’s not an attack on organized labour to demand an explanation. If organized labour and its supporters want to maintain the public service as the best compensated workforce in the land, they ought to embrace the concept of accountability.</blockquote><br />
I was able to find this "Budget Briefing Note" that Chris Selley referred to in his article. The main page for the note can be found at the following link: <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/budget2011/" target="_blank">City of Toronto 2011 Budget</a>, and the actual PDF file of the note can be found at: <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/budget2011/pdf/op11_bn_toronto_public_services_HR.pdf" target="_blank">2011 BUDGET BRIEFING NOTE - Toronto Public Service HR Information</a>.<br />
<br />
You know, I personally can't even remember the last time that I took a sick day... But hey, when you work in the private sector where no job is guaranteed, that's the reality that you live in... <br />
<br />
Unfortunately for our City of Toronto Staff, there is no such reality. They live in a magical fantasy land of rainbows and unicorns, where there is absolutely no accountibility for performance, you get annual merit pay increases just for existing, and where if you don't take at least 10 sick days a year, apparently you're a sucker.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/4912714817/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/4912714817/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/" target="_blank">Mark Watmough</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-32115586569128885572011-02-03T09:23:00.001-05:002011-02-03T14:53:53.400-05:00Toronto City Staff Require a Policy In Order to Answer Their Phones?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPGn1livYTjK49zi1JYBlfWMIiELuH69d9ixmkQPqoIFhLG8Yu2lO5B0ZjROBH4PlgatGHOUnVzWtXh_LtxI88UXsoKUGKSc1uZTgSuwSk-uhYn1uCfBj1sDOW4nySxNdqMvCDLbV-zxT/s1600/TorontoCityHallSkating_by_santaz_elv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPGn1livYTjK49zi1JYBlfWMIiELuH69d9ixmkQPqoIFhLG8Yu2lO5B0ZjROBH4PlgatGHOUnVzWtXh_LtxI88UXsoKUGKSc1uZTgSuwSk-uhYn1uCfBj1sDOW4nySxNdqMvCDLbV-zxT/s640/TorontoCityHallSkating_by_santaz_elv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You know you're getting screwed as a Toronto taxpayer when it takes the implementation of a Customer Service Policy in order to get your Toronto City Hall Staff to actually answer the phones at their desks...<br />
<br />
Thanks again former Toronto Mayor David Miller for creating such a horrifying culture of laziness, uselessness and entitlement with our Municipal bureaucrats that they essentially have to be <em>forced</em> to do their jobs.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from The Globe and Mail:<br />
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<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/watchdog-knocks-toronto-for-keeping-customer-service-policy-under-wraps/article1891819/" target="_blank">Watchdog knocks Toronto for keeping customer-service policy under wraps</a><br />
<blockquote>Toronto’s ombudsman is slamming the city’s public service for failing to make public basic information such as its customer-service policy and how to lodge formal complaints with every department.<br />
<br />
After releasing her annual report Wednesday, Fiona Crean said she was “flummoxed” that the city refused to publish customer-service standards that are currently available on an internal website.<br />
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Those guidelines instruct employees in basic courtesies such as returning calls within 24 hours, putting an out-of-office notification on e-mails when on vacation and, “if you’re at desk, answer your telephone.”<br />
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The report also indicates that only 76 per cent of city divisions had posted a description of their complaint process to the web – a 32-per-cent increase from the beginning of the year, but still short of 100 per cent.<br />
<br />
“I’m very concerned that those are not complete yet,” Ms. Crean said. “I saw both of these recommendations as being simple and straightforward, particularly the [customer-service standards] because the customer-service standards are posted on the internal website.”<br />
<br />
Ms. Crean said she is impressed with the municipal government’s renewed focus on customer service since Mayor Rob Ford took office.<br />
<br />
“I believe that since the new administration has come into place, there’s been a much more concerted effort,” she said.</blockquote><br />
Unfortunately it seems like the stench of David Miller is still running rampant down at City Hall. <br />
<br />
Can you believe that at the beginning of the year, only 44% of city divisions had published their formal complaint process on the web???<br />
<br />
By the way, did you also notice how as soon as Rob Ford came into office, suddenly 32% of city divisions did post the process?? Yes, yes...<br />
<br />
And even when the situation at City Hall is so utterly disgusting, the staff still have the guts to try and continue with their "merit pay plan", if that's what you want to call it... Did you hear about that one? <br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2011/02/01/17117611.html" target="_blank">City’s merit pay plan is a farce</a><br />
<blockquote>Toronto’s employee and labour relations committee Tuesday made a long overdue recommendation to scrap the city’s existing merit pay plan.<br />
<br />
For starters, this long-standing and bizarre pay scheme for managerial and non-unionized staff at City Hall isn’t actually merit pay.<br />
<br />
Not in the common sense way most people define the term as a reward for exceptional job performance and thus, by definition, rare.<br />
<br />
In the Alice-in-Wonderland world of City Hall, eligible staff get merit pay increases, in addition to regular salary hikes, almost automatically — for what is bureaucratically described as “satisfactory” job performance.<br />
<br />
As Coun. Doug Ford, who grilled staff about their proposal to retain the pay plan as is, noted: “In the real world, if you’re satisfactory, your bonus is you keep your job.”<br />
<br />
Even the city has previously admitted its merit pay plan is not actually based on merit and more closely resembles the pay grid unionized staff climb the longer they do a job.<br />
<br />
Prior to the committee’s recommendation to council that merit pay be completely overhauled, an outside consultant hired by the city and a blue ribbon panel of advisors appointed by the former mayor, recommended the same thing.<br />
<br />
As Coun. Peter Milczyn noted, the existing system is broken and doesn’t give taxpayers value for money.<br />
<br />
We suggest scrapping merit pay, period, and paying people what they’re worth — mindful that a 2008 study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found Toronto municipal employees earned an average 11.6% more than comparable private sector workers, with better benefits.</blockquote><br />
Wow, "paying people what they're worth"... Who'd a thought of such a concept??<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/santaz_elv/5245098487/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/santaz_elv/5245098487/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/santaz_elv/" target="_blank">santaz_elv</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-68241381047557087142011-02-02T18:51:00.001-05:002011-02-02T18:55:50.045-05:00YouTube Video Documentary on Background of Egypt Crisis...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a1xG9wS38g8?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="640"></iframe></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Video:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1xG9wS38g8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1xG9wS38g8</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Antibilderberg88" target="_blank">Antibilderberg88</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span><br />
<div></div></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-50587429200048301142011-01-18T11:09:00.000-05:002011-01-18T11:09:24.792-05:00Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Starts Friday January 21st at 10pm on Starz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LmyCrVmmzaAAfYzXT5i7BT5zjUYrwThv0X-O51l0Srbsl7f_JVCdxTdW5SVIqVQ86Mq3a7dNdYEbeVNZexlnTzmQPII6IIiCt4OgDBvaLOoTtZA_hXxGkb45G1BsTkFidioLG2AVPdBX/s1600/SpartacusGodsOfTheArenaScreenshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="526" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LmyCrVmmzaAAfYzXT5i7BT5zjUYrwThv0X-O51l0Srbsl7f_JVCdxTdW5SVIqVQ86Mq3a7dNdYEbeVNZexlnTzmQPII6IIiCt4OgDBvaLOoTtZA_hXxGkb45G1BsTkFidioLG2AVPdBX/s640/SpartacusGodsOfTheArenaScreenshot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you're like me, then you've been counting down the days until the Spartacus prequel, <a href="http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus" target="_blank">Spartacus: Gods of the Arena</a> starts on Friday, January 21st at 10pm.<br />
<br />
Here are some details about it from the official website on <a href="http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus" target="_blank">Starz.com</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>The House of Batiatus is on the rise, basking in the glow of its infamous champion Gannicus, whose skill with a sword is matched only by his thirst for wine and women. These are the times a young Batiatus has been waiting for. Poised to overthrow his father and take control, he’ll freely betray anyone to ensure his gladiators are in the highest demand. And he’ll have his loyal and calculating wife Lucretia by his side for every underhanded scheme, drawing on the brazen talents of her seductive friend Gaia when it counts. Together, they will stop at nothing to deceive the masses, seize power, and bleed Capua dry in this audacious prequel to “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.”<br />
<br />
Premiering, January 21 “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” the highly anticipated prequel to “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus. Joining returning stars, John Hannah (The Mummy, Four Weddings and A Funeral) as Batiatus, Lucy Lawless ("Xena: Warrior Princess") as Lucretia and Peter Mensah (300, The Incredible Hulk) as Oenomaus, will be additional cast members Dustin Clare (“Underbelly”) as Gannicus, Jaime Murray (“Hu$tle”) as Gaia and Marisa Ramirez (“General Hospital”) as Melitta.</blockquote><br />
Here's the official trailer #1 from the Starz YouTube Channel:<br />
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<div align="center"><iframe frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ou2TvLK9jzg?fs=1" width="480"></iframe></div><br />
Here's the official trailer #2 from the Starz YouTube Channel:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ntSHknxy3Vc?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
</div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from YouTube Video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntSHknxy3Vc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntSHknxy3Vc</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Starz" target="_blank">Starz</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-2162335148604858292011-01-18T10:49:00.000-05:002011-01-18T10:49:25.781-05:00Spartacus Blood And Sand: Liam McIntyre Takes Over For Andy Whitfield<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q7SmdOyotgoSi36hsM3GUNWfPjRSu5ttT9cmTVCrzpYAqqI10Nxt6XoVMEPZQlK9yWkpkPoQjIwYPFr5GArx22fe1S5rQQkv7bWO7XoOOGINymJ5ViNPmd7TSlcaexhiPf-b1_jD1OEL/s1600/Radev2010-Screenshot-LiamMcIntyre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q7SmdOyotgoSi36hsM3GUNWfPjRSu5ttT9cmTVCrzpYAqqI10Nxt6XoVMEPZQlK9yWkpkPoQjIwYPFr5GArx22fe1S5rQQkv7bWO7XoOOGINymJ5ViNPmd7TSlcaexhiPf-b1_jD1OEL/s640/Radev2010-Screenshot-LiamMcIntyre.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Nobody can truly replace Andy Whitfield as Spartacus. He has been entrenched in the minds of all hardcore Spartacus Blood and Sand fans as the true original Spartacus for the series. But given his recent medical issues (the return of his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), Andy has regretfully pulled out of the series, and now his successor has been chosen, and that successor is Aussie Actor Liam McIntyre.<br />
<br />
I looked around to find anything done by McIntyre previously, and I found a couple of YouTube video clips/trailers with some of his previous work. <br />
<br />
Here's one of them below for your viewing pleasure:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ycE1rdHwy5c?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ycE1rdHwy5c?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object></div><br />
To see more of Liam McIntyre's previous work, you can visit his YouTube Channel at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/dman2391" target="_blank">Liam McIntyre's Complete Works - dman2391's Channel</a>. Also, his twitter page can be found at: <a href="http://twitter.com/dman2391" target="_blank">Liam McIntyre - dman2391</a>.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Like all other Spartacus Blood and Sand fans, I wish Andy Whitfield a quick and safe recovery.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from YouTube Video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycE1rdHwy5c" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycE1rdHwy5c</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mattcleaves" target="_blank">mattcleaves</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-49650852821983554622011-01-18T09:54:00.001-05:002011-01-18T10:02:41.065-05:00Scarborough's Pho 88 Offers "Pho Sate", The Best Soup in Toronto!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSRT-Q5YU5KVwf9QHsDlgbuu3zETjMSlHelUUNNzSeU35Qlf78ps9aAI9awvi5hEOu43HweajQd5HtSaUg14MJJ3FUCeKz36mXmWjZHkTsGnnPHexgFHDV-uvfcP9Lxpg4DdCyyKzvEXV/s1600/Pho88-PhoSate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSRT-Q5YU5KVwf9QHsDlgbuu3zETjMSlHelUUNNzSeU35Qlf78ps9aAI9awvi5hEOu43HweajQd5HtSaUg14MJJ3FUCeKz36mXmWjZHkTsGnnPHexgFHDV-uvfcP9Lxpg4DdCyyKzvEXV/s640/Pho88-PhoSate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Scarborough's Bamburgh Circle hosts the best Pho restaurant in Toronto, Pho 88. There are other Pho 88 restaurants around in Toronto (like on Spadina and etc.), but if you are looking for absolute Pho perfection, the Pho 88 located at 325 Bamburgh Circle, Scarborough is your best bet.<br />
<br />
Especially on bitter cold days like today, there is nothing more soothing and comforting than a large hot bowl of Pho Sate from Pho 88. Pho Sate, a spicy concoction of thinly sliced Beef, rice noodles and green onions in a spicy hot beef broth, is just so addictive, I find myself drawn to Pho 88 even on the hottest days of the summer!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I originally discovered Pho (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pho" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Pho</a> - Vietnamese Hot Beef Noodle Soup) a couple of years ago when forced kicking and screaming to go for soup for dinner one day. "<em>Soup for Dinner? No way in hell! I'm starving!",</em> I exclaimed, having no idea the addictive brew that awaited me at Pho 88. But, having the persistent friends that I do, they prevailed and we proceeded to Pho 88 in Scarborough. <br />
<br />
The first time I tried Pho Sate, I thought it was ok. It was soup, what more can I say? In fact, the next 2 times that I went for <em>the Pho</em>, I was still reluctant, as mentally I felt that soup was just not enough food for dinner. But that is just not the case. The soup is loaded with Beef and Noodles, and as I've seen from other patrons, the "soup" actually is just the delivery method for the noodles and beef. If there was no actual broth, the beef and noodles contained within would constitute a filling meal. But don't dismiss the broth, it's the most addictive part!<br />
<br />
After my 3rd time, I was hooked. For the next 2 years, and still to this day, I push to have "<em>the Pho</em>" (as I call it) at least twice a week if possible. Sometimes more often in the winter. I find myself looking for any reason to <i>hit the Pho</i>, I am just so addicted now.<br />
<br />
Even when I'm travelling (mostly for work) I'm looking for Pho restaurants. Over the past 2 years, I've <i>hit the Pho</i> in Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Detroit, Calgary and many more cities around North America. But nowhere outside of Toronto have I found a better Pho than Pho 88's Pho Sate. It's just some next level Pho.<br />
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Anyway, after my most recent visit to Pho 88, I decided to actually do a quick post on it, and included some pictures of the dishes we had. Here they are below for your viewing pleasure.<br />
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When you first arrive, you are seated and provided some hot tea to get your started.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9K1kIF22u1A3VOKKNaw2rjUfLM0oD9IQGFMOZd5T9HYTZnFzduZgoNfWA5MrfzcEjoZsNKB9T4eQ6vL-hefGeNrpNZ0AdIC2Mxz3SSzTDm8XgcOioQuCaaDgH6pf3K8N35cNWzmzYzCe/s1600/Pho88-HotTea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9K1kIF22u1A3VOKKNaw2rjUfLM0oD9IQGFMOZd5T9HYTZnFzduZgoNfWA5MrfzcEjoZsNKB9T4eQ6vL-hefGeNrpNZ0AdIC2Mxz3SSzTDm8XgcOioQuCaaDgH6pf3K8N35cNWzmzYzCe/s640/Pho88-HotTea.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Next, we had the deep-fried chicken and shrimp spring rolls as well as deep-fried chicken wings for appetizers. Those spring rolls could be the best spring rolls in Toronto, a must try for all spring roll enthusiasts. The wings were very good as well (the typical jado type wings).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh4bxmg9q1_3Rg80DtxkdTrg49YARRZmwjytmpBxXHPF2De0q4uW9_TGe_CqApn2zQOxWc_aEM-qM0HutY2K10P_d-0Rhx8zp3raFVrFiA_rrm0doVUu-hDnxa5qmVXkIDvtse_vzP2bM/s1600/Pho88-DeepFriedChickenAndShrimpSpringRolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh4bxmg9q1_3Rg80DtxkdTrg49YARRZmwjytmpBxXHPF2De0q4uW9_TGe_CqApn2zQOxWc_aEM-qM0HutY2K10P_d-0Rhx8zp3raFVrFiA_rrm0doVUu-hDnxa5qmVXkIDvtse_vzP2bM/s640/Pho88-DeepFriedChickenAndShrimpSpringRolls.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajB1fzE0kJOvtbAtbue42Z5HLuMxXKhQDAFr47OK6Rw0me4qM2eGnhS-Zwbyp5jXbMP-TyHczfWIZJIpqfUDWHYJtud0S4hDjII3csjjYNjuQeWJT99tbV7X9lbqWwK2BhiFYOeB6ocBH/s1600/Pho88-DeepFriedChickenWings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajB1fzE0kJOvtbAtbue42Z5HLuMxXKhQDAFr47OK6Rw0me4qM2eGnhS-Zwbyp5jXbMP-TyHczfWIZJIpqfUDWHYJtud0S4hDjII3csjjYNjuQeWJT99tbV7X9lbqWwK2BhiFYOeB6ocBH/s640/Pho88-DeepFriedChickenWings.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Then came the Pho Sate. For me, depending on how red the Pho Sate is (and therefore how spicy it is), usually determines how much I enjoy it. The redder, the better. This latest visit's Pho Sate had the perfect amount of redness in it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSRT-Q5YU5KVwf9QHsDlgbuu3zETjMSlHelUUNNzSeU35Qlf78ps9aAI9awvi5hEOu43HweajQd5HtSaUg14MJJ3FUCeKz36mXmWjZHkTsGnnPHexgFHDV-uvfcP9Lxpg4DdCyyKzvEXV/s1600/Pho88-PhoSate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="620" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSRT-Q5YU5KVwf9QHsDlgbuu3zETjMSlHelUUNNzSeU35Qlf78ps9aAI9awvi5hEOu43HweajQd5HtSaUg14MJJ3FUCeKz36mXmWjZHkTsGnnPHexgFHDV-uvfcP9Lxpg4DdCyyKzvEXV/s640/Pho88-PhoSate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24A2kKyEnmBIRokh-nyPgtaUziw1uS2AXulW7M4dWha0-Cgx9RmwNyT0ivs03AxzewCGAp94M5-PS47LEZ3wKQasEMtpB5uoALSvsdw-etafEbYk9muhEfQAgrc2WLeZw3tNzknVSjfx_/s1600/Pho88-PhoSateAdditions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24A2kKyEnmBIRokh-nyPgtaUziw1uS2AXulW7M4dWha0-Cgx9RmwNyT0ivs03AxzewCGAp94M5-PS47LEZ3wKQasEMtpB5uoALSvsdw-etafEbYk9muhEfQAgrc2WLeZw3tNzknVSjfx_/s640/Pho88-PhoSateAdditions.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you're in Toronto, and especially if you're a Pho enthusiast like me, you absolutely have to try Pho 88 on Bamburgh Circle in Scarborough. If you've never tried <i>the Pho</i> before, I'm telling you, try it out. If you don't mind spicy food, I would go for the Pho Sate, the best Pho soup that <em>I feel</em> is available (<em>I'm sure this is arguable</em>).<br />
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Readers, if you know of any great Pho restaurants, whether they be in Toronto, New York, or wherever, I'm sure everyone would love to hear about them so they can visit them when they're in town.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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PS: Here's the address info for Pho 88 in Scarborough:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=pho+88+scarborough&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=pho+88&hnear=Scarborough,+Toronto,+ON&cid=11238977013244049205" target="_blank">Pho 88 Vietnamese Retaurant</a><br />
Warden & Bamburgh Circle, <br />
325 Bamburgh Circle, <br />
Scarborough, <br />
ON <br />
M1W 3Y1 <br />
<span class="pp-headline-item pp-headline-phone"><span class="telephone" dir="ltr"><nobr>(416) 497-8899</nobr> <span jscontent="' (' + phone_number.phone_label + ')'" jsdisplay="phone_number.phone_label != ''" style="display: none;"></span></span> </span><br />
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(Images: Copyright © 2011 jackandcokewithalime All rights reserved.)jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-27083510735778861602011-01-11T18:50:00.001-05:002011-01-11T20:58:45.908-05:00Super Mayor Rob Ford Saves Toronto From 10-cent TTC Fare Hike!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRaAdxuj5K_R2SS7XvVPHAU1fhDZPRE9SYcVk83BJ4n0FjRoqbjswLEhtvp93kKApGmHofLvKwDZjlOMW_fG6QVpC_m7HOZ3vO6UM9EV3GkMSQVAoUMOeJtZS7zmBG9PeMc_CmBtEx3v5/s1600/SuperMayorFord_RespectForTaxpayers_from_YouTube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRaAdxuj5K_R2SS7XvVPHAU1fhDZPRE9SYcVk83BJ4n0FjRoqbjswLEhtvp93kKApGmHofLvKwDZjlOMW_fG6QVpC_m7HOZ3vO6UM9EV3GkMSQVAoUMOeJtZS7zmBG9PeMc_CmBtEx3v5/s640/SuperMayorFord_RespectForTaxpayers_from_YouTube.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
When announcing the proposed 2011 Budget for Toronto, Mayor Rob Ford painfully acknowledged that the TTC would be raising its fares by 10-cents in order to fulfill its bugdetary requirements, but Ford promised to do everything he could to stop the hike.<br />
<br />
Leftist rags like the Toronto Star crucified Ford, saying that he had removed a burden from Toronto Motorists and put that burden on the TTC ridership, essentially declaring a war on transit (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/transportation/article/919082--budget-drivers-gain-is-riders-loss?bn=1" target="_blank">Budget: Drivers’ gain is riders’ loss</a>), not to mention completely dismissing his claims that he was absolutely against the fare hike.<br />
<br />
Well, after 1 day, Rob Ford announced today that the proposed 10-cent TTC Fare Hike has been scrapped, as the City found the money it needed to avoid it.<br />
<br />
Wow, what a difference between Super Mayor Rob Ford and Useless former Mayor David Miller. It truly is refreshing to have a Mayor who actually cares about the Toronto taxpayers and who actually gets results.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
PS: For those who are interested, the artwork of Super Mayor Rob Ford used above was taken from the following YouTube video:<br />
<br />
<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m8rVVPUuB8Q?rel=0&hd=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from YouTube Video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8rVVPUuB8Q&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8rVVPUuB8Q&feature=related</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/RobFordToronto" target="_blank">RobFordToronto</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-89134402172116446582011-01-11T10:09:00.001-05:002011-01-11T10:10:23.232-05:00City Manager Pennachetti Smugly Jokes about 10-cent TTC Fare Hike?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VXIqh1Hk-eRdQYG7TYiQ7qZTOupHFOXl6vVV1vm3Pn-E3zCzm2GtnZiC_8LJj9M34L5Gf5zGbQXN9eAlVD3uUxnRnhTe3ysWDdg5L53WKBXM9WmhB3T-ZCRnPMTRnQyz8RQMFwxsRuEC/s1600/TTCTokens_by_nayukim_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VXIqh1Hk-eRdQYG7TYiQ7qZTOupHFOXl6vVV1vm3Pn-E3zCzm2GtnZiC_8LJj9M34L5Gf5zGbQXN9eAlVD3uUxnRnhTe3ysWDdg5L53WKBXM9WmhB3T-ZCRnPMTRnQyz8RQMFwxsRuEC/s640/TTCTokens_by_nayukim_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Yesterday Mayor Rob Ford announced the proposed 2011 Toronto Budget which unfortunately for Toronto TTC riders included a 10-cent TTC fare hike (something that Ford is adamantly against).<br />
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But hey Torontonians, at least you can be happy to know that your City Manager, Joe Pennachetti, selected by your former Mayor David Miller and his leftist regime, feels smug enough to joke about your plight in being squeezed for yet another 10-cents per ride from Toronto's horribly incompetent TTC.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/919346--james-ford-budget-not-the-bloodbath-many-feared?bn=1" target="_blank">James: Ford budget not the bloodbath many feared</a><br />
<blockquote>Mayor Rob Ford’s first budget yesterday failed to ignite the firestorm predicted after he was elected last October on a promise to end city hall waste.<br />
<br />
There was no caterwauling from councillors pointing to an end to arts and community grants; parks will be manicured or not as often as always and snow will be cleared with the same irregularity. Social service groups are not being targeted, and the streetcar order is going ahead.<br />
<br />
The police are getting more money, though, maybe not as much as the chief demands. And taxpayers are getting a break — some breathing room — with a tax freeze.<br />
<br />
But don’t cue the celebration. It’s not as simple as all that. It never is with the city’s budget.<br />
<br />
For example, how is the lunch bucket crowd on the TTC being rewarded for “riding the rocket” in unprecedented numbers? With a fare hike, starting next month, amounting to 10 cents on the adult token.<br />
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Last year’s 25-cent fare hike did little to dampen the commuter penchant for public transit, surprising the transit pooh-bahs. So, the cattle herders are adding 10 cents this year, and if the city manager has his way, this will become an annual haul.<br />
<br />
“Raise fares and they will come,” joked manager Joe Pennachetti yesterday, marveling at ridership numbers that reached 477 million, or 15 million above estimates. Despite the planned 10-cent hike, a record 488 million riders are projected to take the TTC this year.</blockquote><br />
What kind of scumbag jokes about raising the fares on Toronto's TTC ridership, saying that hey, we've done this over and over, year after year under former Mayor David Miller, and yet ridership still increases each time? "Raise fares and they will come!"<br />
<br />
Is Pennachetti so ignorant that he does not realize that 99% of the riders who use the TTC do so because they have no other choice? And that this fare hike is the worst thing that could have happened to them, adding to the already heavy burden that a one-way ticket weighs on Torontonians? I mean, $3 for a ride on the TTC? What the hell is going on?<br />
<br />
I'm actually not surprised by this attitude of Pennachetti's, as this is the direct result of having a Toronto tax-and-spend Mayor like David Miller running the show. And now after Miller's been tossed in the trash, this is the overall stench of what's remaining in Toronto's City Departments' Management. This is why City Departments like the Toronto Police, the TTC, the Toronto Public Library and Toronto Public Health continue to defy Mayor Ford's mandate and the wishes of Torontonians to slash City Department budgets by 5%. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately for them, their management teams will be gutted by Ford if they don't wake up and realize that this is for real (SOURCE: Toronto Sun: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2011/01/10/16834891.html" target="_blank">Ford lays down the law</a>). Something that David Miller and Toronto's Left never had -and will never have- the spine to do.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Doesn't Pennanchetti's "raise fares and they will come" sound bitterly similar to the Toronto Maple Leafs' do worse every year and the fans will try harder to buy tickets?... I'm just saying.. Maybe it will take a drop in TTC ridership for them to actually realize that literally, the gravy train at the TTC must come to a complete stop?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayukim/3826773455/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayukim/3826773455/sizes/z/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayukim/" target="_blank">nayukim</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-75407707875261194882011-01-10T13:22:00.000-05:002011-01-10T13:22:37.667-05:00TTC Union & Dalton McGuinty to Blame for 10-cent TTC Fare Hike!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpov6mZDghyphenhyphenvPBrj1x0_yaYRkieUBdtakHkiMKMJQEMO1cBFvtEVwSLZaSock8pb6KWHmB_eeyeJx3KbD4DSQ9mwE6Z_CZkoERtQzyUsQR2Kuu4xj_K6PIt8XoeT6-T4qaIoNdTlWHBnuB/s1600/TTCStreetCarInSnow_by_veggiefrog_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpov6mZDghyphenhyphenvPBrj1x0_yaYRkieUBdtakHkiMKMJQEMO1cBFvtEVwSLZaSock8pb6KWHmB_eeyeJx3KbD4DSQ9mwE6Z_CZkoERtQzyUsQR2Kuu4xj_K6PIt8XoeT6-T4qaIoNdTlWHBnuB/s640/TTCStreetCarInSnow_by_veggiefrog_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Torontonians are upset, Mayor Rob Ford is upset, and even TTC Chair Karen Stintz is upset, and everyone is looking for someone to blame for this proposed 10-cent TTC fare increase that is slated to begin on Feb. 1st, 2011.<br />
<br />
Well, before you TTC riders pull out your pitch forks and torches and march down to Mayor Ford's Office in City Hall, you should first look to the TTC Drivers, TTC Ticket Collectors and countless other over-paid (and mostly useless) TTC workers who are given salaries and benefits that compete with those of Doctors and Lawyers, and far surpass the salaries of far more important roles in our society like Teachers and Nurses.<br />
<br />
You should also look to your Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Minister of Transportation Kathleen Wynne, who decided not to provide Toronto its desperately needed Provincial operational funding for the TTC (SOURCE: CBC.ca: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/02/17/ttc-mcguinty.html" target="_blank">No money for TTC this year: McGuinty</a>).<br />
<br />
You definitely have every right to be angry about the fare hike, but make sure that you direct your anger at the right people.<br />
<br />
Mayor Rob Ford put a mandate out there to reduce City Department Budgets by 5% across the board, and instead of making the necessary sacrifices (just as Mayor Ford did with his expense budget, and City Council did with their Expense Budgets), TTC Staff decided instead to increase TTC fares by 10-cents. I'm not surprised... After 7 years of the former Mayor David Miller regime babying, spoon-feeding and hand-holding the TTC Staff and their Workers Union, how can they even begin to understand what words/phrases like budget, reduce, sacrifice and respect for taxpayers even mean?<br />
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Remember, Mayor Ford asked for them to cut their budgets -not increase TTC fares. That was proposed by the TTC Staff.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/01/10/16825776.html" target="_blank">Ford warns of TTC fare hike</a><br />
<blockquote>Mayor Rob Ford warned a TTC fare hike is on the way with the 2011 budget. <br />
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In a speech Monday launching the 2011 budget, Ford said it is balanced and includes a zero percent property tax increase but the TTC staff are recommending a 10¢ fare hike in their budget and reducing hours on 48 bus routes. <br />
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TTC staff recommended raising fares starting Feb. 1. Commissioners will meet Wednesday to discuss the hike and the route changes.<br />
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"I did not want to agree to this," Ford told reporters. "I am not happy about this. In fact, my staff has been working night and day, through the weekend to find another option."<br />
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The mayor also vowed he wants to see measurable improvement in the TTC's customer service by Sept. 1. <br />
<br />
"No matter what happens folks I've made it quite clear, the TTC must improve station cleanliness and customer service," Ford said.</blockquote><br />
Here are some additional details about the TTC Fare Increases and other TTC 2011 Budget-related items from the TTC.ca website for your reference:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www3.ttc.ca/News/2011/January/0110_Fare_Increase.jsp" target="_blank">Record ridership projected for 2011 budget - TTC staff recommend 10-cent fare increase, service reallocation</a><br />
<blockquote><u>Operating Budget (excluding Wheel-Trans)</u><br />
The TTC’s proposed operating budget for 2011 is $1.4 billion (up $66 million from 2010) and forecasts an all-time record high of 483 million rides. Ridership continues to grow each year. At the end of 2010 there were 477 million rides, up from a projected 462 million rides. For 2011, the TTC’s conventional system operating subsidy from the City of Toronto will not increase over 2010’s level. A long-term funding strategy for annual TTC operating expenses, however, is required to allow the TTC to plan for service changes and fare policy decisions.<br />
<br />
Effective January 30, 2011, TTC staff recommends a 10-cent fare increase to meet the service levels required for the projected increase in ridership. To operate the system, each ride costs $3, on average. The TTC receives, on average, just under $2 in fare revenue per trip. The attached fare chart shows the proposed increase in fares for tokens, tickets and passes. Cash fares for adults and seniors remain unchanged; children’s fares are also frozen at 2010 levels. <br />
<br />
With increased ridership, TTC staff propose, effective March 27, the reallocation of some weekend and/or late night weekday bus service on routes where ridership is extremely low. It is proposed that this service be reallocated to ensure service levels at rush hour and midday, for example, meet the forecast increase in ridership. Improved service to account for record levels of riders began on January 2 of this year. A list of routes proposed for reallocation is attached. This change will save approximately $7 million in 2011. These improvements will be implemented in September after an analysis is completed to determine where that additional service is needed most. <br />
<br />
Other TTC expenses for 2011, which will be detailed on Jan. 12, include customer service initiatives (Chief Customer Service Officer, additional station managers, station cleanliness, route supervisors), training, energy costs, vehicle and facility maintenance, and inflationary costs.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Fare Schedule</u></strong><br />
Proposed 10-cent fare increase <br />
<br />
Current Fare --> Proposed Fare<br />
<br />
<u>Adult</u><br />
<br />
Cash <br />
$3.00 --> $3.00 (unchanged)<br />
<br />
Token <br />
$2.50 --> $2.60<br />
<br />
Weekly Pass<br />
$36.00 --> $37.25<br />
<br />
Regular Metropass<br />
$121.00 --> $126.00<br />
<br />
VIP<br />
$107.00 --> $111.25<br />
<br />
MDP<br />
$111.00 --> $115.50<br />
<br />
<u>Senior/Student</u><br />
<br />
Cash<br />
$2.00 --> $2.00 (unchanged)<br />
<br />
Ticket<br />
$1.65 --> $1.75<br />
<br />
Weekly Pass<br />
$28.00 --> $29.75<br />
<br />
Regular Metropass<br />
$99.00 --> $104.00<br />
<br />
MDP<br />
$89.00 --> $94.00<br />
<br />
<u>Child</u><br />
<br />
Cash<br />
$0.75 --> $0.75 (unchanged)<br />
<br />
Ticket<br />
$0.55 --> $0.55 (unchanged) <br />
<br />
Day Pass <br />
$10.00 --> $10.50 <br />
<br />
GTA Pass (TTC Portion)<br />
$28.00 --> $29.00<br />
<br />
Post-Secondary Student Metropass<br />
$99.00 --> $104.00<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><strong>Proposed route changes</strong></u></blockquote><blockquote>The following route changes are recommended for implementation on March 27, 2011. These changes are required to allow the TTC to increase service on routes where it is needed most due to record-level ridership. These improvements will be implemented in September 2011.<br />
<br />
5 AVENUE RD – No service after 7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
61 AVENUE RD NORTH – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
6 BAY – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.<br />
<br />
9 BELLAMY – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
8 BROADVIEW – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
120 CALVINGTON – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. No service on Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
20 CLIFFSIDE – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
42 CUMMER – No service east of Kennedy Road after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service east of Kennedy Road on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
127 DAVENPORT – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
105 DUFFERIN NORTH – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
26 DUPONT – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.<br />
<br />
32 EGLINTON WEST – No 32D (Eglinton West Stn-Jane & Emmett) service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No 32D (Eglinton West Stn-Jane & Emmett) service after 7:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. No 32A (Eglinton Stn-Renforth & Skymark) service west of Renforth on Saturdays.<br />
<br />
15 EVANS – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
33 FOREST HILL – No service after 7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
135 GERRARD – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
14 GLENCAIRN – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.<br />
<br />
122 GRAYDON HALL – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.<br />
<br />
169 HUNTINGWOOD – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays. No service on Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
110 ISLINGTON SOUTH – No service on Horner Avenue or Browns Line to Long Branch Loop after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
43 KENNEDY – No 43B (Kennedy Stn-Scarborough Centre Stn via Progress) service after 7:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No 43B (Kennedy Stn-Scarborough Centre Stn via Progress) service on Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
30 LAMBTON – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
162 LAWRENCE-DONWAY – No off peak service. Service to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.<br />
<br />
56 LEASIDE – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. No service west of Laird Drive to Eglinton Station Sunday/holiday daytime.<br />
<br />
51 LESLIE – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
59 MAPLE LEAF – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
130 MIDDLEFIELD – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.<br />
<br />
132 MILNER – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
116 MORNINGSIDE – No 116A/E (Kennedy Stn-UofT Scarborough Express/Conlins) service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No 116A/E (Kennedy Stn-UofT Scarborough Express/Conlins)service on Saturday, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
62 MORTIMER – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
74 MT PLEASANT – No service after 7:00 p.m., every day.<br />
<br />
103 MT PLEASANT NORTH – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
72 PAPE – No 72A service south of Eastern Avenue to Commissioners and Union Station after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday, September-May. No 72A service south of Eastern Avenue to Commissioners and Union Station after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays, September-May. <br />
<br />
101 PARC DOWNSVIEW PARK – No service, September-May. <br />
<br />
167 PHARMACY NORTH – No off peak service. Service to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.<br />
<br />
80 QUEENSWAY – No off peak service east of Humber Loop, every day. No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
48 RATHBURN – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
73 ROYAL YORK – No 73B (Royal York Stn-Eglinton & La Rose) service after 7:00 p.m., every day.<br />
<br />
76 ROYAL YORK SOUTH – No 76B (Royal York Stn-Queensway & Grand Ave) service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No 76B (Royal York Stn-Queensway & Grand Ave) service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
78 ST ANDREWS – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
86 SCARBOROUGH – No off peak 86D (Kennedy Stn-Beechgrove via Lawrence) service. Service on 86D (Kennedy Stn-Beechgrove via Lawrence) to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.<br />
<br />
115 SILVER HILLS – No off peak service. Service to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.<br />
<br />
60 STEELES WEST – No off peak service west of Martin Grove to Highway 27. Service west of Martin Grove to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.<br />
<br />
124 SUNNYBROOK – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
55 WARREN PARK – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
94 WELLESLEY – No service west of Wellesley Station after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
112 WEST MALL – No 112C (Kipling Stn-Disco Rd) service north of Eglinton Avenue after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays. No 112C (Kipling Stn-Disco Rd) service north of Eglinton Avenue after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.<br />
<br />
98 WILLOWDALE-SENLAC – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays. No service east of Sheppard-Yonge Station, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.<br />
<br />
96 WILSON – No 96C/F off peak service to Tandridge Crescent or Thistle Down Boulevard. Service on 96C (York Mills Stn-Tandridge & Thistle Down via Albion) to Tandridge Crescent or Thistle Down Boulevard to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiefrog/2276594781/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiefrog/2276594781/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiefrog/" target="_blank">veggiefrog</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-38062166342538830552011-01-09T23:10:00.000-05:002011-01-09T23:10:07.821-05:00Toronto Transit City Supporters Barely Gather 100 People For Protest...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wPn73mJ33KNATA2QcfNYYC3QysibZJcIw7vZL1vBN8o99wfsIts76CNgXROK01jH3U_iYVCjMoPazmjGB9Yr4yZ9j5IdoyQjZcnpnJW2DAGGEYviImiYFik-gJxjY_I4xlz_zmqBKISB/s1600/PerksAndVaughan-DynamicDuo_from_Wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wPn73mJ33KNATA2QcfNYYC3QysibZJcIw7vZL1vBN8o99wfsIts76CNgXROK01jH3U_iYVCjMoPazmjGB9Yr4yZ9j5IdoyQjZcnpnJW2DAGGEYviImiYFik-gJxjY_I4xlz_zmqBKISB/s640/PerksAndVaughan-DynamicDuo_from_Wikipedia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Toronto City Councils' Leftist poster boys, Councillors Adam Vaughan and Gord Perks, pulled together all of the 100 people who support Transit City, and they had a cute little protest today at City Hall against Mayor Ford's subway plan.<br />
<br />
Vaughan, who is fresh off his latest gravy run to the Netherlands for the Walk21 conference on pedestrians (with expenses sent to Toronto taxpayers of course. See: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/01/toronto-councillors-vaughan-carroll.html" target="_blank">Toronto Councillors Vaughan & Carroll Continue To Reach For the Gravy...</a>), and Perks, who I guess could care less about the situation his constituents in Roncesvalles are going through with their version of the St. Clair Streetcar Right-of-way disaster (see: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2010/12/29/16704176.html" target="_blank">Roncesvalles project drags on</a>), apparently don't mind wasting time trying to gather people for a cause that no more than 100 people cared enough about to support on Sunday, not to mention defying the majority of Torontonians who voted for Rob Ford and therefore supported his plan kill Transit City in favour of subways.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/01/09/16819601.html" target="_blank">Budget debate starts now</a><br />
<blockquote>About 100 people held a rally Sunday at City Hall protesting Ford’s plan to axe the former mayor David Miller’s light-rail rapid transit plan to expand service to areas outside the downtown core.<br />
<br />
“We have gotten involved and have been calling people, set up a Facebook page and we now have a rally which will turn into a mass organization to save Transit City,” said rally organizer Patrick Shorter. (This week) will be critical for Transit City so we will be out at bus stops and subway stations talking to people.”<br />
<br />
To be a healthy city Toronto needs Transit City, said Councillor Gord Perks.<br />
<br />
“We are here to fight Mayor Ford’s fairy dust plan to stop in place of a subway plan that will never work,” Perks said. “Mayor Ford did win the election, but Transit City is loved by millions of people in the Greater Toronto Area and we are going to get it back. LRTs have been shown in dozens and dozens of cities in North America and Europe to be the best way to build in the suburbs.”</blockquote><br />
You know, I love how Gord Perks talks about a "fairy dust plan", and then goes on to say in the same sentence that Rob Ford (the definition of anti-Transit City) won the election, but how "Transit City is loved by millions of people"... Seriously, who's living in a magical fantasy land and snorting the fairy dust?? I mean, is Perks even here with us on planet earth?<br />
<br />
If you ask the people of Roncesvalles, I'm sure they're wondering the exact same thing...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Images:<br />
Adam Vaughan: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Vaughn.JPG" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Vaughn.JPG</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank">Sherurcij</a> on Wikipedia<br />
Gord Perks: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gord_Perks_at_his_Campaign_Launch.jpg" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gord_Perks_at_his_Campaign_Launch.jpg</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Abebenjoe" target="_blank">Abebenjoe</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-29108379916637044612011-01-08T23:59:00.018-05:002011-01-09T14:29:50.796-05:00jackandcokewithalime Celebrates First Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w_3kO6GzlSsn9YLlSbvh5iKtEOeQEPDR3j_mWosuMkE3otTfJ-HgFE4YmAfzBQGqybXQAlIfjqNxz-gLFpSJKu4xfMrSTGg1dlrZmwsTxaFGyqKpVYlpecoN0oQTpi5uOSIr396pDNkU/s1600/Jackandcoke_by_iRueben_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w_3kO6GzlSsn9YLlSbvh5iKtEOeQEPDR3j_mWosuMkE3otTfJ-HgFE4YmAfzBQGqybXQAlIfjqNxz-gLFpSJKu4xfMrSTGg1dlrZmwsTxaFGyqKpVYlpecoN0oQTpi5uOSIr396pDNkU/s640/Jackandcoke_by_iRueben_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
One year ago on January 8th, 2010, jackandcokewithalime's <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-post.html" target="_blank">First Post</a> was published to the world. 12 months and 291 posts later, jackandcokewithalime now celebrates its first birthday after a very interesting year in Toronto and the world.<br />
<br />
At the beginning, there was only a faint hope & dream that one day someone would read jackandcokewithalime (<i>if you build it, they will come</i>), and now jackandcokewithalime enjoys the readership of people across the world! From Canada and the United States, to the UK to France, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark and Italy, to Russia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore, to New Zealand and Australia, to Greece, the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Cyprus and Egypt, to Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Puerto Rico, to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and it goes on and on. jackandcokewithalime has been honoured to host readers truly from all over the world.<br />
<br />
Here are some interesting website stats from jackandcokewithalime's first year:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Total # Visits: 35,730<br />
Total # Absolute Unique Visitors: 31,201<br />
Total # Pageviews: 48,629<br />
Average Time on Site: 00:01:04<br />
Total # Visitors Who Visit At Least 4 Times a Week: 475<br />
<br />
Total # Blog Posts: 291 (excluding this post)<br />
Total # Comments on Posts: 255<br />
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2. <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-mayor-of-toronto-election-official.html" target="_blank">2010 Mayor of Toronto Election - Official Candidates List & Websites</a><br />
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8. <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/unlocking-volume-on-rogers-cable-box.html" target="_blank">Unlocking the Volume on Rogers Cable Box Remote Control</a><br />
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6. <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/toronto-western-hospital-blamed-victim.html" target="_blank">Toronto Western Hospital Blamed Victim For Racist Sexual Abuse???</a><br />
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8. <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/toronto-traffic-police-can-make-190.html" target="_blank">Toronto Traffic Police Can Make $190 Minimum per Traffic Ticket Issued!!!</a><br />
9. <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/communist-toronto-city-councillor-paula.html" target="_blank">Communist Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher Disgraces Herself at Budget Meeting</a><br />
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Thanks again to you all for your readership, and I forward to another great year here at jackandcokewithalime!<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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PS: jackandcokewithalime is always looking for writers who would love to have their opinions heard by the world, so feel free to do your research on a subject/topic, get your references ready, pull together a nice post and submit it to <a href="mailto:jackandcokewithalime@gmail.com" target="_blank">jackandcokewithalime@gmail.com</a>. All submitted posts will be reviewed, validated, and if legitimate, will get published on jackandcokewithalime. (Of course writers for jackandcokewithalime would have to be looking for the fame and not the money...)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iruben/4787280252/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/iruben/4787280252/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iruben/" target="_blank">iRubén</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-91881729808515759732011-01-08T10:32:00.001-05:002011-01-08T10:35:19.598-05:00Councillor Minnan-Wong's Bike Lane Plan the Result of Power Madness?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3fXqk4e5LO-5SipmeNcwIB5-_Ccg3jSbmHNV5MaPai0vW2zIPmAfBbViLy91c_AMmfKEVtDKRdERuNWD0o1cBA1k-Ke-hY82rdXo2rxYt1CirHq1ht6pfUaiiZVjiCGpGLW52bzh3hpQ/s1600/BicycleLanes_mod_by_ChristaBikeByTheSea_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3fXqk4e5LO-5SipmeNcwIB5-_Ccg3jSbmHNV5MaPai0vW2zIPmAfBbViLy91c_AMmfKEVtDKRdERuNWD0o1cBA1k-Ke-hY82rdXo2rxYt1CirHq1ht6pfUaiiZVjiCGpGLW52bzh3hpQ/s640/BicycleLanes_mod_by_ChristaBikeByTheSea_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Now that Rob Ford is the new Mayor of Toronto, he has finally allowed some of Council's more right-leaning Councillors opportunities to lead the various City Departments. And though that's a great thing for Toronto and Toronto taxpayers, sometimes you see some City Councillors do stupid things that can only be the result of them going mad from their new found power.<br />
<br />
The Councillor I'm referring to in this article is Ward 34 Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a Councillor that campaigned on stopping tax increases and ending the war on the car, but now proposes ignorant ideas for Bike Lanes that will cost Torontonians a fortune and only increase traffic congestion.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/917749--separate-bike-lanes-headed-downtown?bn=1" target="_blank">City to build curbs for separate bike lanes downtown</a><br />
<blockquote>Ford’s team has voiced “no opposition” to a comprehensive plan put forward by the newly minted public works and infrastructure committee chair, Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, which would see an connected network of curbed cycling routes along busy roads such as Sherbourne, Wellesley and Richmond Sts.<br />
<br />
“I think there’s a misconception that Mayor Ford has an opposition to bike lanes. He wants to create bike safety. He wants it where it makes sense,” said Minnan-Wong, adding that both the cycling community and local community groups support the plan.<br />
<br />
“This shouldn’t be about ideology. It’s about making a pragmatic choice and recognizing that cyclists need solutions and those solutions don’t have to conflict with cars.”<br />
<br />
The separated lanes will affect parking in some areas, but cars could be accommodated by constructing the bike route next to the sidewalk. Cars would be able to park next to the curbed bike lane, adding yet another layer of safety.<br />
<br />
Minnan-Wong’s plan has two major north-south and east-west routes, and extends to the lake at Queens Quay. Smaller roads such as St. George, John and Beverley Sts. would be used to provide a seamless network.<br />
<br />
Most of the streets affected already have bike lanes, with some minor additions needed to connect the existing patchwork. The one big exception is Richmond.<br />
<br />
A two-way bike lane would need to be constructed along that one-way street, which would likely mean removing one of its four lanes, Minnan-Wong said. Not ideal, but necessary to connect the network.<br />
<br />
It’s a perhaps ironic twist that Ford — who once argued to council that “roads are built for buses, cars and trucks” — and his administration are pressing forward with not just bike lanes, but protected ones, in the core.</blockquote><br />
Even though Minnan-Wong opposed the Jarvis bike lane and the University bike lanes, he still proposes to remove a lane of traffic from Richmond in order to add even more?? And with Richmond being one of the most critical routes for traffic to cross the downtown core, Minnan-Wong has clearly lost his mind with power and needs a serious reality check.<br />
<br />
Thank goodness for Rob Ford. The Globe and Mail is now reporting that Ford has not even discussed this plan with Minnan-Wong (contradictory to what the Toronto Star noted and Minnan-Wong implied), and has noted that this is not a priority for him right now.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Globe and Mail:<br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ford-pedalling-away-from-downtown-bike-lane-network/article1862420/" target="_blank">Ford pedalling away from downtown bike-lane network </a><br />
<blockquote>Building a separated bike-lane network in downtown isn’t a priority for Mayor Rob Ford now or any time soon, according to his office.<br />
<br />
“Right now, it’s just a proposal. It’s just being discussed,” Adrienne Batra, the mayor’s press secretary, said. “We’re trying to stay focused on the bigger-picture issue right now, and that’s the budget.”<br />
<br />
Mr. Ford has yet to discuss the idea directly with Denzil Minnan-Wong, the councillor who pitched it last year.<br />
<br />
Mr. Minnan-Wong is now chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees cycling infrastructure.<br />
<br />
However, Ms. Batra said Mr. Ford is willing to take a closer look at the scheme, “as long as it sticks to a few principles: safety on the roads, [it] doesn’t create traffic congestion and the community agrees to it.”<br />
<br />
Mr. Minnan-Wong raised the proposal during a wide-ranging meeting on his portfolio with the mayor’s staff earlier this week. “They were open to discussing the idea,” the councillor said.</blockquote><br />
What a disgrace...<br />
<br />
Hey Minnan-Wong, wake up and remember why you were re-elected! Sure you're in for this term, but your stupidity will get you tossed to the curb so fast in the next election, that your bicycle will travel back to the future.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carfreeworldview/4059278466/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/carfreeworldview/4059278466/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carfreeworldview/" target="_blank">Christa . Bike by the Sea</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-3750556667032270172011-01-08T09:38:00.000-05:002011-01-08T09:38:51.165-05:00Toronto Councillors Vaughan & Carroll Continue To Reach For the Gravy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByl35n60rEXivCVLT5eG8_Q4SBE7F0kX5rTdwGPcy1LdoYJsu5fqye9oMlw-QdrFknGzOrncoa0_gKyn6RbyDefqVysPvk6mMEFn0ljfRvWszr5mPaJ5KTmuEZl4Yqo_BzYlU6Gkg65R1/s1600/TorontoCityHall_by_MarkWatmough_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByl35n60rEXivCVLT5eG8_Q4SBE7F0kX5rTdwGPcy1LdoYJsu5fqye9oMlw-QdrFknGzOrncoa0_gKyn6RbyDefqVysPvk6mMEFn0ljfRvWszr5mPaJ5KTmuEZl4Yqo_BzYlU6Gkg65R1/s640/TorontoCityHall_by_MarkWatmough_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Former Toronto City Councillor Bill Saundercook, former Toronto Budget Chief and current City Councillor Shelley Carroll, and Toronto's left-wing council leader Adam Vaughan, all partied-it-up in the Netherlands on the Toronto taxpayers' dime, showing once again that they have no problem shamefully continuing to reach for the "gravy" after Torontonians expressed their anger at the gravy train in the last municipal election.<br />
<br />
All 3 of these scumbag former and current Toronto left-wing politicians supposedly attended the <a href="http://www.walk21.com/conferences/thehague.asp" target="_blank">Walk21 Conference in the Netherlands</a> on Pedestrians (???), and had no problem submitting for reimbursement for expenses incurred from this outrageous and useless trip.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2011/01/06/16791466.html" target="_blank">Bill Saundercook’s Dutch treat: Levy</a><br />
<blockquote>Three weeks after he was resoundingly defeated at the polls, incumbent councillor Bill Saundercook jetted off to The Hague on the taxpayer teat with his wife in tow.<br />
<br />
And according to information received from the city’s Council Services office, the 22-year politician submitted a claim for eight days of accommodation and per diems, even though the Walk 21 conference he was attending only lasted three days.<br />
<br />
Saundercook, the former co-chairman of council’s pedestrian sub-committee, asked to be reimbursed for $4,240.76 for his Nov. 12-21 trip, which ended just nine days before he officially left office. <br />
<br />
The 56-year-old Ward 13 councillor was handily defeated by newbie Sarah Doucette on Oct. 25. She captured 47% of the vote to his 36.8%.<br />
<br />
Reached late Thursday afternoon, Saundercook, now back teaching in Mississauga, dismissed the questionable optics of such a trip, saying he’d put hundreds of hours of volunteer time into a commitment that has benefitted Toronto “tremendously” — namely, helping to prevent pedestrian deaths.<br />
<br />
“The optics were no different than had I won,” he said.<br />
<br />
I would vehemently disagree.<br />
<br />
In fact, I would suggest this is a perfect example of the kind of loophole in the councillor expense policy that must be tightened up following the review by deputy mayor Doug Holyday and council services staff.<br />
<br />
If a councillor loses an election, junkets overseas should definitely not, I repeat not, be taken during his or her dying days in office — although I would have thought this did not need to be stated.<br />
<br />
But there’s more.<br />
<br />
While Saundercook led Council Services staff to believe he was a speaker at a conference session, he is not listed in the conference agenda.<br />
<br />
He indicated Thursday he and another partner from Toronto actually introduced a four-minute video called “The Pedestrian Jar” — a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the friction between drivers and pedestrians.<br />
<br />
Coun. Shelley Carroll, who also attended the conference, said the only occasion she was aware that her former colleague spoke was to introduce the video on behalf of the city’s pedestrian sub-committee — an introduction which took “all of two minutes.”<br />
<br />
Carroll, who figures she spent $3,000, said she decided to go once she knew she was elected because she wanted to get as much information together as possible related to pedestrians and transit in preparation for the Sheppard LRT.<br />
<br />
“I went with my own local agenda,” she said.<br />
<br />
Coun. Adam Vaughan, who attended the conference while on a personal vacation, only claimed $747.76.<br />
<br />
He said he went to engage planners from other cities on how to “manage streets that are in transition” and to look at real life examples of projects in The Hague that integrate different modes of transportation on busy downtown streets — projects which have parallels to work underway in his downtown ward.</blockquote><br />
Saundercook's actions -though not surprising- were pretty much criminal and he should definitely be charged as such. Meanwhile, Councillors Vaughan and Carroll disgracefully continue to cash in on taxpayer funds while pretending that their actions are for the benefit of Torontonians... And at the same time, they claim that there is no money in the budget to remove the Personal Vehicle Tax and etc... Yes, no money if they continue to sip that gravy off the backs of Torontonian taxpayers.<br />
<br />
Not only should both Adam Vaughan and Shelley Carroll repay Toronto for this vacation that they took on the taxpayers' dime, they should also resign out of pure shame for their actions.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/4912726691/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/4912726691/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/" target="_blank">mark.watmough</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-33726304955241816792011-01-08T08:46:00.002-05:002011-03-17T11:57:38.129-04:00Baby Boomers Will Revolt Against McGuinty Liberals in 2011 Ontario Election<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdGBKlMMUAl8r2VVxfGlQ2B0Cu2ClFqu6CfWj3GksYFg3vg4V20RdNpkhA-F-vIM_LiccEsYaCgTchVcX4-s-3CfeBkcdU1R-POwTNQWSR2f9uFqaOsJS15eWXwZhI46TBcqVFg-9q31F/s1600/ElderlyAtTimHortons_mod_by_joanneandmatt_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdGBKlMMUAl8r2VVxfGlQ2B0Cu2ClFqu6CfWj3GksYFg3vg4V20RdNpkhA-F-vIM_LiccEsYaCgTchVcX4-s-3CfeBkcdU1R-POwTNQWSR2f9uFqaOsJS15eWXwZhI46TBcqVFg-9q31F/s640/ElderlyAtTimHortons_mod_by_joanneandmatt_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's irresponsible Green Energy policies have hurt all Ontarians, but Baby Boomers are one group that even <i>Premier Dad</i> shouldn't mess with, and sadly now for him (and luckily for all Ontarians), he will feel the Boomer revolt that is coming in the 2011 Provincial Election.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/917350--hamilton-beware-the-boomers-when-setting-energy-policy" target="_blank">Hamilton: Beware the boomers when setting energy policy</a><br />
<blockquote>“The boomers are concerned about the environment but the policies being put in place are going to have a very negative impact on them as they increasingly head into their retirement years,” says demographer David Foot, author of the best-selling book Boom Bust & Echo.<br />
<br />
“Basically, as we get older our bodies start to have more and more difficulty adjusting to extremes in climate, so we turn up the air conditioners in the summer and turn up the heat in the winter.”<br />
<br />
The message here is that higher energy prices, as much as they’re inevitable, will be more difficult to swallow as the first wave of boomers head into retirement and take on fixed incomes. For many, every penny will be watched more closely.<br />
<br />
“What’s more they’re more likely to be home during the day,” says Foot.<br />
<br />
In other words, most boomers will no longer be heated and cooled at their employer’s expense during the workday. They’ll be at home paying peak-time electricity rates as the furnace runs full-time during the winter and air conditioner blows 24/7 in the summer.<br />
<br />
This has huge implications for utilities as they move to time-of-use pricing for electricity. Boomers, as they head into their senior years, will have a more difficult time shifting their power use to cheaper off-peak periods from expensive peak periods. Many pre-boomers are already struggling to do so.<br />
<br />
Of course, the boomers have to make attempts to conserve electricity and shift their power use like everyone else. What’s ruffling feathers is that the time-of-use program is perceived as a one-size-fits-all attempt at shaping electricity use and many seniors, growing in political influence as boomers age, feel they’re being asked to bear a disproportionate share of the sacrifice.</blockquote><br />
Even with the insulting concessions that Dalton McGuinty just put out to obviously manipulate the public before the coming election (like his 10% Ontario Clean Energy Benefit <i>after doubling our energy rates and slapping the HST on top...</i>, and some menial tax credits for seniors), his own government said to expect a 45% increase in energy rates over the next 5 years, and given that that message came from his own government, obviously that figure is a severely lowball estimate of what the increase will actually be (especially when McGuinty's green policies cost Ontario 1,680% extra for energy -see: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/01/dalton-mcguintys-energy-policy-costs.html" target="_blank">Dalton McGuinty's Energy Policy Costs Ontario 1680% Extra for Electricity!</a>).<br />
<br />
Like the rest of Ontarians, Baby Boomers are just counting down the days until they can end this McGuinty Liberal Government madness and get back to some sound logical energy policies that will allow Ontarians the freedom to live their lives in peace.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joanne_matt/116574684/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/joanne_matt/116574684/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joanne_matt/" target="_blank">Joanne and Matt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-26064472209730889402011-01-08T07:45:00.000-05:002011-01-08T07:45:25.509-05:00Dalton McGuinty's Energy Policy Costs Ontario 1680% Extra for Electricity!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVCoLwKtFI5AcfNC2cF9VueoT68EloOGlgDH7739vc-pw4GWcc5Xb7xvbJ-YWwnOQNURq8Whs6RtLBOL3qWmYggLnuXsA9rTfQm3cs5oyDsVOh2KI00UoBVryfKj84S4VF8HG0zvJvORx/s1600/QueensPark_by_04deveni_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVCoLwKtFI5AcfNC2cF9VueoT68EloOGlgDH7739vc-pw4GWcc5Xb7xvbJ-YWwnOQNURq8Whs6RtLBOL3qWmYggLnuXsA9rTfQm3cs5oyDsVOh2KI00UoBVryfKj84S4VF8HG0zvJvORx/s640/QueensPark_by_04deveni_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Ontario is living in an Energy Cost Nightmare thanks to Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal Government.<br />
<br />
McGuinty's green policies have put Ontario in agreements with foreign conglomerates like Samsung, where Ontario ends up paying 84 cents a kilowatt hour for energy when energy only costs 5 cents a kilowatt hour. That's 1,680% more for energy, folks! That is not a typo!!<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/01/06/16789451.html" target="_blank">Hudak vows to defeat Grits on hydro</a><br />
<blockquote>"Hydro bills are already up 75% for the average family, 100% if you have a smart meter, and outside experts are saying it is going up another $732 for the average family if we stay on this path. That is simply not affordable," Hudak said following a talk with Hanover, Ont., business owners.<br />
<br />
Hudak said people are leaving their Hydro bills unopened on the kitchen table for days because they don't want to see what is inside.<br />
<br />
"We can't continue down this path because people can't afford it and it is killing jobs," Hudak said.<br />
<br />
Hudak said he will end Premier McGuity's experiment with green energy and paying massive subsidies to foreign conglomerates such as Samsung.<br />
<br />
"You can't sign contracts where you are giving companies 84 cents a kilowatt hour when the price of power is five cents. It just doesn't make any sense."<br />
<br />
He said a PC government would give people the option of using the smart meter or paying a flat rate. Under the smart meter program, hydro charges are higher during the day and slashed during the night and on weekends.<br />
<br />
Hudak said his government would go with the nuclear option to supply the province's base power needs. It is affordable and emissions free, he said.</blockquote><br />
Everyone is all for saving the Environment and we should all strive to be as green as possible, but you have to be realistic, we're not a Province of just Millionaires. We're a Province with people of all different levels of wealth, with the large majority struggling day-to-day, yet Premier McGuinty goes on experimenting with our blood, sweat and tears on these ridiculous green initiatives without a care in the world about the financial impact on Ontario families?<br />
<br />
Can't we just be a normal Province and make sure that our families can pay their bills and have good fulfilling lives? Can't we just allow our Seniors to live out the rest of their days in peace and not have to suddenly worry about making ends meet -being on fixed incomes with energy rates skyrocketing every day...<br />
<br />
Can't Ontario just focus on providing superior education and superior health care, and leave this <i>green crusading</i> to someone else? Or if not someone else, maybe to another time when we aren't just recovering from one of the biggest recessions the world has ever gone through?<br />
<br />
How can Premier McGuinty be so out of touch with Ontarians? <br />
<br />
Well, when October comes around he's going to get a serious wake up call...just in time for his retirement.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/04deveni/3134292702/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/04deveni/3134292702/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/04deveni/" target="_blank">04deveni</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-40708062046919512282011-01-05T23:22:00.002-05:002011-01-05T23:25:40.428-05:00TEA & Pembina Inst. LRT Reports Incorrectly Based on Unfunded Lines...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuImTATfdzSNHZ1Cp7fFs2hv9YaD11IKwmgwdVVV0x0rYwdub806aougYeJm1e5dd9eXLrRDXkfL3AThK7S7x9Dd_PehM7CtssIyP9Q5eGujOT7ES-NsUC7w07TnT_CB4D4YqT16q_QeKT/s1600/TorontoSubway_by_JayW_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuImTATfdzSNHZ1Cp7fFs2hv9YaD11IKwmgwdVVV0x0rYwdub806aougYeJm1e5dd9eXLrRDXkfL3AThK7S7x9Dd_PehM7CtssIyP9Q5eGujOT7ES-NsUC7w07TnT_CB4D4YqT16q_QeKT/s640/TorontoSubway_by_JayW_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Earlier today, reports released by the Toronto Environmental Alliance (<a href="http://www.torontoenvironment.org/sites/tea/files/Transit%20Comparison%20Poster-1-.jpg" target="_blank">TEA Transit Map</a>) and the Pembina Institute (<a href="http://www.pembina.org/pub/2151" target="_blank">Making Tracks to Torontonians</a>) were going around Toronto blasting Mayor Rob Ford for pushing for subways as opposed to the planned Transit City LRTs, making outrageous claims about how the LRTs are better for Toronto, and how they will be far more efficient in terms of the number of riders they will serve, and all kinds of green-related benefits of the plan.<br />
<br />
Well, news is now coming out that both the TEA and the Pembina Institute's numbers/figures were completely inflated, and included LRT lines that have not been funded by Metrolinx and Dalton McGuinty's Ontario Government, and in fact they have no plans whatsoever to fund those lines in the future.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Globe and Mail:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/inside-city-hall/the-tea-and-pembina-transit-reports-debunked/article1858803/" target="_blank">The TEA and Pembina transit reports, debunked</a><br />
<blockquote>With TTC and Metrolinx staff scurrying to produce a new transit plan for Toronto by the end of the month, a pair of environmental groups teamed up Wednesday morning to make the case for the old plan. <br />
<br />
Transit City, the light-rail network championed by David Miller, would serve 630,000 people, 10 times the 61,000 served by Mayor Rob Ford’s plan to extend the Sheppard subway and replace the aging Scarbourgh RT with a subway, according to a splashy map produced by the Toronto Environmental Alliance. <br />
<br />
Would Transit City really serve that many more riders? Sure, if you base your map-doodling on a version of the plan that’s mostly unfunded and mostly dead, especially now that Mr. Miller has vamoosed. <br />
<br />
The trouble with TEA’s map and with the Pembina Institute figures that underlie them, is that the numbers include whole lines, or parts of lines, that Queen’s Park hasn’t committed to funding yet. In a city where we once filled in a subway hole we'd already started digging, unfunded crayon lines on a map are meaningless. <br />
<br />
TEA’s map is of the original Transit City plan, which Metrolinx, the regional transportation authority for the GTA, supports (in theory) as part of its long-term Big Move plan. It’s a map of eight lines and nearly 150 kilometres of light-rail, spread across 25 Toronto neighbourhoods. Mr. Ford's subway proposal, by contrast, would cover 18 kilometres and three neighbourhoods, according to TEA's map. <br />
<br />
Of the eight lines on TEA's map, the province has only agreed to fund four: The Sheppard LRT, which has already broken ground; the Finch West LRT; the Eglinton Crosstown LRT; and the conversion of the Scarborough RT into a light-rail line. The rest of Transit City is a pipe dream. <br />
<br />
Pembina’s numbers are based on the original plan for the four lines, not the current, funded plan, meaning even Pembina inflates the number of people the four priority lines would serve. Twenty-five fewer stations means fewer people "served," which Pembina defines as the number of residences and workplaces with 500 metres of a rapid-transit stop.</blockquote><br />
I guess given the fact that both of these reports came from green organizations, it should be assumed that they would release reports that are pushing for any way to take more roads away from cars (a la <i>war on the car</i>), even if that means releasing purposely flawed reports (shame on you TEA and Pembina Institue, you have lost any/all credibility you ever had, if you had any).<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaywphotos/3759185960/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaywphotos/3759185960/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaywphotos/" target="_blank">Jay Woodworth</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-12298376567914750802011-01-05T11:52:00.000-05:002011-01-05T11:52:54.153-05:00Toronto Police Relax Taskless While Murder Clearance Rate Plummets?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa7Ycc7_thgJd6EZL6r75-G8-roBWyYDG01nOE1fGxDm5r1P5QZMxrj91GCvAJkIEBQ_sfyu3P8kfXKfpTAKtjDn0J4XDY_7tohKdNUXqr8DGbhqs403VyQXpdn4J1YkGw8kUQy2GoTys/s1600/TorontoPoliceAtCoffeeTime_by_ChristopherWoo_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa7Ycc7_thgJd6EZL6r75-G8-roBWyYDG01nOE1fGxDm5r1P5QZMxrj91GCvAJkIEBQ_sfyu3P8kfXKfpTAKtjDn0J4XDY_7tohKdNUXqr8DGbhqs403VyQXpdn4J1YkGw8kUQy2GoTys/s640/TorontoPoliceAtCoffeeTime_by_ChristopherWoo_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If there is one thing that I disagree with Mayor Rob Ford about, it would be the usefulness and efficiency of the Toronto Police. Rob Ford has always been a very strong advocate of the Toronto Police, and being the Mayor of Toronto, I can understand why that is so important. But in reality, the Toronto Police have many, many issues that need to be dealt with, and it is Toronto families and Toronto taxpayers who end up suffering while these issues remain.<br />
<br />
The Toronto Star released a story today from former Toronto Mayor John Sewell in regards to the "gravy" in the Toronto Police budget, and he mentions many of the inefficiencies that exist that can be tackled for savings.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialcartoon/article/916155--lots-of-gravy-in-bloated-police-budget" target="_blank">Lots of gravy in bloated police budget</a><br />
<blockquote>The police service is proposing a business-as-usual budget. City budget guidelines require budgets be drawn up on the assumption of a 5 per cent decrease in spending, the same requirement as for last year. <br />
<br />
As usual, police services have disregarded this instruction, and are submitting a budget for a net spending increase of 3 per cent or $26.7 million to total net expenditure of $915 million. This does not include the wage increase still to be negotiated for 2011, and that will add at least another $25 million, so the increase will be closer to 5 per cent.<br />
<br />
But lucky for you, there’s a lot of gravy in that budget, so the financial cuts can be made without cutting services. Here are a few examples of where the gravy is in the police service:<br />
<br />
Chief Bill Blair noted in this budget request that in 2010 the police responded to 578,000 calls for service to the end of November — about 630,000 for the full year. There are 5,600 officers, which means that on average each officer responded to about 110 calls in 2010. Since each officer works about 220 shifts per year, this means that each officer responded to one call for service every two shifts.<br />
<br />
I think most residents of the city will be astounded to learn that Toronto’s finest respond to so few calls — only one every second shift. This is not a productive use of the time of city employees paid about $75,000 a year.<br />
<br />
And it is not as if officers are making arrests on every shift. The average number of arrests per officer in Toronto, as it is in other Canadian cities, is seven to eight per year, that is, one arrest every six weeks, only one crime of which is a crime of serious violence.<br />
<br />
There’s a related point. A recent Environmental Assessment Report from the police service notes that police now spend eight hours on every Priority 1 call, and that’s double the amount of time spent on such calls 10 years ago. The time spent on personal injury vehicle accidents has increased 33 per cent in four years. I suspect police spend more time on these incidents simply because they do not have a lot else to do.<br />
<br />
Here’s a second example of gravy. Police work three shifts a day: a 10-hour day shift; a 10-hour evening shift; and an eight-hour night shift. That means that in every 24 hours, police are paid to work 28 hours. The shift overlaps do not occur during the evening hours when calls for service are highest. Getting police to work just 24 hours every day — cutting out the four hours of gravy — would require about 15 per cent less resources, in itself a saving of about $100 million a year.<br />
<br />
A third example is the two-man police car. After 5 p.m., police work two officers to a car. Evidence shows one-man cars are safer than two-man cars (since a single officer doesn’t take the chances that two do), and putting two officers in a car to mostly drive around aimlessly during the evening hours, is an extraordinary waste of money. You can see why police officers are usually associated with Tim Hortons and doughnuts — they don’t have a lot to do.<br />
<br />
How much of the budget is gravy? In the United Kingdom the government has decided a cut in the police budget of 19 per cent is in order. Margaret Thatcher cut police services in the U.K. by an even larger amount, and so did New York City in the 1980s. Disaster did not occur — instead, police services had to look closely at what they really needed to spend money on.<br />
<br />
In Toronto, the moderate course of action would be follow the city budget guideline, and agree on a police budget of $844 million for 2011. That would be a good start.</blockquote>The one common theme in all of these inefficiencies is that Toronto Police are basically just relaxing for the majority of the year, raking in huge salaries and racking up ridiculous overtime, all the while the most important statistic that a Police Department could ever have, its Murder Clearance Rate, is plummeting to historic lows with more than 56% of the murders in Toronto last year going unsolved (see <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/01/toronto-polices-2010-murder.html" target="_blank">Toronto Police's 2010 Murder Clearance/Solve Rate Hits Historic Low...</a>).<br />
<br />
One would think that with all of these Officers farting around doing nothing all day and getting paid a fortune for it, they could all at least be put towards important tasks like Murder Investigations... Meanwhile, we are hearing from the Toronto Police themselves that their Homicide Departments are severely understaffed and underfunded???<br />
<br />
It really is time for a reality check for our beloved Toronto Police force.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deks/1721851355/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/deks/1721851355/sizes/z/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deks/" target="_blank">christopher.woo</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-75946756405607571942011-01-05T07:07:00.001-05:002011-01-05T07:09:32.846-05:00Study: 5% of Canadians Expect to Retire On Lottery Winnings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpgwh-c5PEqTHrEatO7mmcrgKRSm6GDmgtl0VdAd3-EYxQ20eRNc9Ffe7FC4Mg393oNAoO_N5kLNNVH9OqxCSat62Eo03igAa0eN5XfoN1-n3tUh8epet6WYXMbzvlVrLSyEEu9yvoOw-/s1600/OLG_by_PinkMoose_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpgwh-c5PEqTHrEatO7mmcrgKRSm6GDmgtl0VdAd3-EYxQ20eRNc9Ffe7FC4Mg393oNAoO_N5kLNNVH9OqxCSat62Eo03igAa0eN5XfoN1-n3tUh8epet6WYXMbzvlVrLSyEEu9yvoOw-/s640/OLG_by_PinkMoose_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Scotiabank conducted an email survey of 1,011 Canadians from October 14th, 2010 to October 25th, 2010 regarding how people are planning for their retirement, and one interesting finding was that 5% of Canadians are expecting to have retirement money come from the lottery!<br />
<br />
5% of Canadians!!<br />
<br />
Can you believe that so many of us are depending on lottery winnings for our retirement?? Talk about <i>just imagining</i>, you know what I mean?! (I know, that was horrible...)<br />
<br />
Here's the story from newswire.ca:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/04/c7837.html" target="_blank">Majority of Canadians Expect to Work After Retirement, Primarily to Stay Mentally and Socially Active: Scotiabank Study</a><br />
<blockquote>Of those Canadians who plan to retire, more than two-thirds (69 per cent) plan to work during retirement, primarily to remain mentally (72 per cent) and socially (57 per cent) active, according to a recent Scotiabank study conducted by Harris/Decima assessing Canadians' attitudes toward retirement and investing. However, more than a third of Canadians (38 per cent) expect to work after they officially retire out of financial necessity. <br />
<br />
The study found that 56 per cent of Canadians think they will need less than one million dollars to fund their retirement, half of whom believe they will need less than $300,000. More than one-quarter of Canadians (28 per cent) think they will need between one and two million dollars and 16 per cent believe they will need two million dollars or more to fund their ideal retirement. <br />
<br />
When it comes to how they plan to spend their retirement, the majority of Canadians plan to travel (86 per cent), spend time with family and friends (72 per cent), read (61 per cent) and exercise (60 per cent). Other retirement plans include taking up a hobby (50 per cent) and going back to school (24 per cent). <br />
<br />
As for saving for retirement, three-quarters (78 per cent) of those expecting to retire are currently putting money away for their future and they have been doing so for an average of 15 years. Half of Canadians (55 per cent) who plan to retire report saving less than $20,000 over the past five years. <br />
<br />
While the bulk of money for retirement will come from RRSP contributions and savings (78 per cent and 68 per cent respectively), many Canadians indicated their retirement would also be funded by money from the government (63 per cent), their work pension (55 per cent) or inheritance (27 per cent). A small number of Canadians expect to have retirement money come from the lottery (five per cent) or their kids (four per cent).</blockquote><br />
Well, I guess I can see it. I mean, how many of you <i>didn't</i> play the $50 Million Lotto Max that just passed? I actually didn't, but I scammed my buddy into selling me half of his ticket -so I guess I'm the one who got scammed in the end since we didn't win... <br />
<br />
And tell me, am I alone in thinking that those OLG Lotto commericals that come on TV are just the most evil commercials ever (I still can't understand how they are legal...). I joke about the old "Just Imagine..." slogan of Lotto 6/49, but if that isn't one of the most manipulative advertisements ever, I don't know what is (hats off to you ad folks who came up with it!).<br />
<br />
I mean, you wake up every morning, you're watching whatever morning news show you watch (for me it's CP24 here in Toronto), and you're hit with the OLG commercial... Now all day you're just imagining... Pretty soon you're imagining that your retirement income will come from the lottery, et voila, 5% of Canadians.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
PS: Here are a few of those Lottery Commercials for your viewing pleasure:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VLOKDXXvypM?rel=0&hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/S5y9X2PQ3QY?rel=0&hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TmhjuIzSpts?rel=0&hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/4405846864/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/4405846864/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/" target="_blank">pinkmoose</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-41360351411558021792011-01-04T17:50:00.000-05:002011-01-04T17:50:46.489-05:00Grooveshark.com's Free Online Music Streaming Service is Amazing!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxNsyiPevTI_W_oUA6SqIia3sfCHN0NG4dXNI57vwvOdh4du9rXLIeJvVTU5ZU2sv24Gohc7qtXLrlQ8rbwWlYh1LJDsoxFY_em_PXnQQ4G2uvYtwpYX0Uy_X1hjYSVm8lNgo_jfMMqlk/s1600/Grooveshark_Screenshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxNsyiPevTI_W_oUA6SqIia3sfCHN0NG4dXNI57vwvOdh4du9rXLIeJvVTU5ZU2sv24Gohc7qtXLrlQ8rbwWlYh1LJDsoxFY_em_PXnQQ4G2uvYtwpYX0Uy_X1hjYSVm8lNgo_jfMMqlk/s640/Grooveshark_Screenshot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/" target="_blank">Grooveshark.com</a>, a free online music repository and music streaming service, allows its users access from anywhere to almost all of the music available out there in the world (whether under Major Labels or Independents), and provides an interface for users to build their favorites and playlists, and also for Artists to upload their music to be discovered by the world.<br />
<br />
One of our readers forwarded a link to <a href="http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/" target="_blank">Grooveshark</a> to us today and suggested that if we liked it, we inform all jackandcokewithalime readers about it as it truly is gold. Well, I'm happy to report that we did try it, and we do love it, and we're happy to share this with all of our readers, though this really is one of those treasures that I would usually keep on the low... ;)<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
My first test for Grooveshark.com was to see if it had the basics of the basics in terms of music, and for me that meant does it have music by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (or to be more specific, "The Zephyr Song", one of my favorite songs by the band). And after 2 seconds of running my search for "Red Hot Chili Peppers", it returned all of the Chili Peppers' entire music library. Then after double-clicking on "The Zephyr Song", it got added to my queue at the bottom of the browser and started playing immediately!! And the sound quality was great.<br />
<br />
My second test for Grooveshark.com was to see if a lesser-known artist that I recently discovered (Slakah the Beatchild) could be found in Grooveshark's library, and again, after 2 seconds, Grooveshark returned multiple albums that had songs from Slakah, including D.A.N.C.E, Friends with Money: The Drought is Over, Mushroom Jazz 7, Room for Improvement, Soul Movement Vol. 1, The Empire and Drake - Friends with Money, The Magnovox Masterpiece Volume 1, and The NorthStarr.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm sure some of you are wondering how this could possibly be free, and whether this is blatant copyright infringement and etc.. I had the same questions as well. Grooveshark does provide full information on that, and on how they make money, and etc., and all of that information can be found at the following site: <a href="http://help.grooveshark.com/customer/portal/topics/287-the-basics" target="_blank">Grooveshark Help - The Basics</a>, feel free to check it out.<br />
<br />
And just to be clear, jackandcokewithalime is not getting any kind of endorsement fee, or advertising fee, or promotional fee for showing you all Grooveshark.com. This post is simply informational, and really is for the benefit of our readers. I mean, really, this is gold.<br />
<br />
Have you used Grooveshark.com? If so, what do you think of it? I'm sure the readers would love to hear about it.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
PS: I really shouldn't do this, but for informational purposes, combining a legal Grooveshark.com with the Windows Accessories Tool: Sound Recorder, really opens all kinds of new doors! ;) But, you didn't hear that from me...<br />
<br />
PPS: Disclaimer: In no way does jackandcokewithalime endorse or condone the recording of streamed music from Grooveshark.com with Windows Sound Recorder in order to create your own free mp3s. This is copyright infringement and jackandcokewithalime is 100% against this practice.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from <a href="http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/search/song?q=slakah%20the%20beatchild" target="_blank">http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/search/song?q=slakah%20the%20beatchild</a> on Grooveshark.com website.<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-53433181862116290662011-01-04T10:12:00.002-05:002011-01-04T10:25:45.839-05:00Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig in Denial about Eglinton Crosstown LRT...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkaQOUDie8U9Rch8breTXB8BIGUdJBiKz-RBbDFeAsDFKYWvXwf8aD_xDr_1wtnScAHgVa5fKz2sAfVcU5FY185LjjxCxfjwNdChMzwMr_2_qAYr5bYHgTtBWdQ5XXrvXBC5R8GpT78Y_/s1600/TTC_EglintonCrosstownLRT_Screenshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkaQOUDie8U9Rch8breTXB8BIGUdJBiKz-RBbDFeAsDFKYWvXwf8aD_xDr_1wtnScAHgVa5fKz2sAfVcU5FY185LjjxCxfjwNdChMzwMr_2_qAYr5bYHgTtBWdQ5XXrvXBC5R8GpT78Y_/s640/TTC_EglintonCrosstownLRT_Screenshot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<em>“Ladies and gentlemen, the war on the car stops today . . . Transit City is over,” Ford told reporters Wednesday. “We will not build any more rail tracks down the middle of our streets.” “The war on the car is over and, all new subway expansion is going underground,” Ford said.</em> (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/899641" target="_blank"><br />
‘War on the car is over’: Ford moves transit underground</a>)<br />
<br />
Oh Bruce, when will you understand that Rob Ford's vision for Transportation City means 0 km of above-ground transit lines? Remember, <i>“Streets, are for cars, trucks and buses.”</i> Rob Ford famously said when declaring Transit City dead (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/900043--hume-ford-to-transit-city-drop-dead" target="_blank">Hume: Ford to Transit City: Drop dead</a>).<br />
<br />
The Toronto Star released a story today discussing how Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig delusionally believes that the proposed Eglinton Crosstown LRT does fall within Rob Ford's vision of completely underground transit for Toronto, because 11 km of the proposed 33 km Eglinton line (or 33%) is underground, leaving 66% above-ground to cause havoc on one of Toronto's busiest roads and key crosstown routes for cars.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The truth is that having LRTs above-ground on Eglinton would be disastrous for traffic in Toronto, and would be the worst thing to happen to the car in Toronto since the implementation of the Personal Vehicle Tax. Not to mention, imagine a St. Clair Right-of-way disaster and a Roncesvalles fiasco multiplied by 100 and spread across the entire city! This is your precious above-ground Eglinton Crosstown LRT.<br />
<br />
And I can't wait until Rob Ford absolutely destroys McCuaig's proposal! :)<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/915410--ford-transit-city-hybrid-plan-in-the-works?bn=1" target="_blank">Ford-Transit City hybrid plan in the works</a><br />
<blockquote>Despite fears that Mayor Rob Ford’s focus on getting more subway into Scarborough will kill light-rail-based Transit City, signs point to a hybrid plan with at least the Eglinton Crosstown LRT surviving, and Toronto paying a premium on the provincially funded expansion to get more of it underground and otherwise away from road traffic.<br />
<br />
TTC and Metrolinx staff are communicating “daily,” said Metrolinx chief executive Bruce McCuaig, while the agencies’ leaders, and senior officials from Ford’s office, are to meet again before the end of next week, following a “very constructive” Dec. 17 session.<br />
<br />
McCuaig made it clear the province remains committed to the Eglinton Crosstown line, a cornerstone of Ontario’s first-phase, $8.15 billion Transit City plan that also includes Finch and Sheppard LRT lines and revitalization of the aging Scarborough RT.<br />
<br />
The Crosstown “reaches across the entire city; it connects to the regional systems, the various GO lines, it ultimately connects into Pearson airport and into the Mississauga transitway,” McCuaig said.<br />
<br />
“We have certainly communicated to the City of Toronto that Eglinton is the most important regional project in the ‘big four’ (lines) and that we are very committed to it. I think it would be fair to say the city acknowledges the importance of the project.” <br />
<br />
Eleven kilometres of the line are to be underground, he added, so “it actually reflects the mayors’ interest as well in terms of getting transit off of roads and underground.”</blockquote><br />
If McCuaig seriously believes that his "hybrid" Eglinton Crosstown "actually reflects the mayors’ interest as well in terms of getting transit off of roads and underground.", then he truly must be in a fantasy land of unicorns and rainbows... Probably the same one that his buddy Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Toronto-traitor Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne are in...<br />
<br />
I am hesitant to go after Councillor Karen Stintz for not completely dismissing it outright right-off-the-bat, I hope she hasn't dropped the ball on this one, her first real task as the Rob Ford-appointed Chair of the TTC.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Just to be clear, I'm not opposed to an Eglinton Crosstown Transit line, it would just have to be completely underground and should be subways.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/eglinton_crosstown_lrt/pdf/map.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/eglinton_crosstown_lrt/pdf/map.pdf</a> on <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/eglinton_crosstown_lrt/index.htm" target="_blank">City of Toronto - Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT)</a> Website<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-34558481478782275872011-01-03T10:04:00.000-05:002011-01-03T10:04:21.823-05:00Relax Toronto, Mayor Rob Ford Will Deal with Garbage & Water Soon...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZZ4qkT9_m10yqf-1PJ7Ijd-SeKkhPndLrzajJDRTAlTKrPhesQfE9qe-0bUdtDkR7yrSNLFDpoMVLom8FAfxfEr-2l7-OAf7dvwbmjkVT87yXYN6gmYuZMtYooUMbqxZCvAXcDlLchTc/s1600/TorontoGarbageBins_by_OzzieBackpacker_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZZ4qkT9_m10yqf-1PJ7Ijd-SeKkhPndLrzajJDRTAlTKrPhesQfE9qe-0bUdtDkR7yrSNLFDpoMVLom8FAfxfEr-2l7-OAf7dvwbmjkVT87yXYN6gmYuZMtYooUMbqxZCvAXcDlLchTc/s640/TorontoGarbageBins_by_OzzieBackpacker_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
For once, the residents of Toronto have come to expect extreme efficiency from their Municipal Government, and who can blame them, this isn't the same useless David Miller regime who got absolutely nothing done over 2 terms, didn't return any phone calls from Torontonians, spent taxpayer money recklessly and lined their own pockets via untendered contracts to their friends. No, this is the Rob Ford era here in Toronto, and that means the exact opposite: Projects get done on time and as per budget, phone calls always get returned, taxpayer money is watched closely with an eagle eye and untendered contracts are eliminated.<br />
<br />
So given this massive 180 degree turnaround in Municipal responsibility, efficiency and accountibility, it's completely understandable why even though Mayor Rob Ford accomplished his following promises within 25 days in office:<br />
<br />
1. Eliminated City Councillor Free Meals at Council Meetings<br />
2. Eliminated the Personal Vehicle Tax<br />
3. Chopped Councillor Expense Budgets from $50,000 to $30,000<br />
4. Chopped the Mayor's Expense Budget<br />
4. Got City Council to Approve Declaring the TTC an Essential Service (now pending approval from Dalton McGuinty)<br />
5. Raised the prospect of Eliminating the 5-cent Toronto Plastic Bag Fee (not a promise, but still worth mentioning)<br />
<br />
Torontonians are still upset and question why he hasn't done anything to stop the proposed Garbage Tax and Water Rate hikes coming to Toronto in 2011.<br />
<br />
Relax Toronto, he's been on the job for 25 days and he's already done more for Torontonians than former Mayor David Miller did in his entire 2 terms as Mayor! He even stayed by the phone during the Christmas and New Year's holidays answering taxpayer calls (imagine, that would have been the day to see David Miller, or Adam Giambrone or Adam Vaughan or Gord Perks, or Paula Fletcher or Sandra Bussin or Pam McConnell or Joe Mihevc or Shelley Carroll make that kind of sacrifice) for Toronto.<br />
<br />
He will get to it, just give him the opportunity!<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/01/01/16728391.html" target="_blank">Ford's got the pedal to the metal</a><br />
<blockquote>Looking back on his first weeks in office, Mayor Rob Ford crows that he’s saved taxpayers close to $70 million.<br />
<br />
“We’ve got rid of the car registration tax which I said I would do as soon as I got into office and I did that,” Ford told the Sun in a year-end interview. <br />
<br />
“I said I’m going to cut down the expenses of the councillors and my own budget, I’ve done that. I said I’d get rid of the free food and we’ve gotten rid of that. <br />
<br />
“I’m saving the taxpayers a lot of money, I’m going to continue to do that in the years to come,” he added.<br />
<br />
Ford bristled at the suggestion the proposed hikes for garbage and water rates in 2011, is in effect, a tax hike on Toronto residents.<br />
<br />
“It’s not fair because I haven’t even been able to deal with garbage,” Ford said. “In 25 days I’ve done more than any mayor has in seven, eight years.<br />
<br />
“The garbage fee will be taken care of when I contract out garbage. This year I just haven’t had time to do it. I can’t abolish something that I haven’t had time to work with,” he said.<br />
<br />
“In 25 days, I’ve worked 14-15 hours a day, reading documents, getting briefed by staff, I’ve done a lot.” <br />
<br />
Ford said he could have tackled garbage and water rate hikes first but people pushed him to kill the personal vehicle tax.<br />
<br />
“People said, no, no, let’s deal with the (car tax) first and foremost. Let’s get your expenses under control. I did everything I can do,” Ford said. <br />
<br />
“I’ll be dealing with the water next year, I’ll be dealing with the garbage next year, you can’t deal with it all in the first 25 days.”</blockquote><br />
So you've heard it directy from the Mayor himself. Have patience Toronto, and I don't mean the kind shown for former Mayor David Miller and his regime of uselessness. I mean the genuine kind that you can show when you actually trust your Mayor. <br />
<br />
I know Torontonians -and Ontarians for that matter- have serious Political Trust Issues (or Battered Voter Syndrome as I like to call it), and who can blame them thanks to David Miller and Dalton McGuinty? I completely understand... But give Ford a chance; He's done nothing but show you why you can trust him 25 days into the job.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Remember, if you want to blame anyone for the Garbage Tax and Water Rates going up in 2011, look no further than former Toronto Mayor David Miller. We all know his record on Garbage with the Unions (our childrens' parks are still in rehab from the Miller-garbage-strike), and as for Water, it was the Miller regime who instituted these annual Water Rate hikes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozziebackpacker/303218281/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozziebackpacker/303218281/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozziebackpacker/" target="_blank">ozziebackpacker</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-66101758015529584512011-01-01T09:54:00.000-05:002011-01-01T09:54:19.213-05:00Are Fireworks Bad For The Environment? Maybe...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVaqlOnDbdkNcXvEWm2XH-_lcD_rk4uy7BB1gBP4C4IUuv-LrEo-SsNMviHLeKjUpn0pfvMLeHCAzu8brUa58IA9LldNnjJXUdNb-IjLb1jp5Wl_y_I7PJcrgw8nBw-iKgHa-Ox7wEhkg/s1600/Fireworks_by_foxypar4_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="426" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVaqlOnDbdkNcXvEWm2XH-_lcD_rk4uy7BB1gBP4C4IUuv-LrEo-SsNMviHLeKjUpn0pfvMLeHCAzu8brUa58IA9LldNnjJXUdNb-IjLb1jp5Wl_y_I7PJcrgw8nBw-iKgHa-Ox7wEhkg/s640/Fireworks_by_foxypar4_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
With all of the wonderful fireworks displays that we saw this year across the world to celebrate the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011, the following question came to mind: Are fireworks bad for the environment?<br />
<br />
I found the following great article on the subject at the Mother Nature Network:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/are-fireworks-bad-for-the-environment" target="_blank">Are fireworks bad for the environment?</a><br />
<blockquote>Fireworks can unleash a shower of toxins into soil and water, and scientists are only beginning to figure out what that means for human health.<br />
<br />
The rockets' red glare during a fireworks show can fill onlookers with patriotism and awe. Unfortunately, it can also fill them with particulates and aluminum.<br />
<br />
Fireworks get their flamboyance from a variety of chemicals, many of which are toxic to humans. From the gunpowder that fuels their flight to the metallic compounds that color their explosions, fireworks often contain carcinogenic or hormone-disrupting substances that can seep into soil and water, not to mention the lung-clogging smoke they release and plastic debris they scatter.<br />
<br />
Is an occasional peppering of perchlorates really a big deal compared with all the industrial pollution U.S. waterways have been dealt over the years?<br />
<br />
Maybe not, but it's still not entirely clear how fireworks affect environmental or human health. While they haven't been linked to any widespread outbreaks of disease, it's not always easy to pin down why someone developed hypothyroidism, anemia or cancer.<br />
<br />
What we do know is that, although they're fleeting and infrequent, fireworks shows spray out a toxic concoction that rains down quietly into lakes, rivers and bays throughout the country. Many of the chemicals in fireworks are also persistent in the environment, meaning they stubbornly sit there instead of breaking down. That's how mercury from coal emissions winds up in fish, and it's how DDT thinned bald eagles' eggshells in the '70s. There's scant evidence that fireworks are having similar effects, but the possibility has been enough to raise concern in many communities.</blockquote><br />
For more information on the subject, I suggest visiting the article link provided above. It has a lot of great information on the environmental and health related impacts of fireworks.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/2153422313/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/2153422313/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/" target="_blank">foxypar4</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-8430689600532262262011-01-01T09:33:00.000-05:002011-01-01T09:33:39.271-05:00Toronto Police's 2010 Murder Clearance/Solve Rate Hits Historic Low...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQS9Zd6ou2zACdYDDnjwwFJ7ZXagSn8MJhwuNzfuO6fIaYzSZYwXSthtWKt_b0mrrhnES4PvqvDYn9gN5dLYPeovzDziX8LsqXtqXxCw86eRK3TDn1CzVo6WTkA5mZ2wCmlpvgWWXxaJZ/s1600/TorontoPoliceSpeedTrap_by_PinkMoose_on_flickr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQS9Zd6ou2zACdYDDnjwwFJ7ZXagSn8MJhwuNzfuO6fIaYzSZYwXSthtWKt_b0mrrhnES4PvqvDYn9gN5dLYPeovzDziX8LsqXtqXxCw86eRK3TDn1CzVo6WTkA5mZ2wCmlpvgWWXxaJZ/s640/TorontoPoliceSpeedTrap_by_PinkMoose_on_flickr2.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><br />
I hate to start off 2011 by going after the Toronto Police, but what can I do? Toronto Police continue to have their priorities all screwed up, and the Murder/Homicide Clearance Rate (or Murder Solve Rate) for 2010 reached a new historic low, leaving Toronto's shattered families as the victims in a Toronto Police policy travesty.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/914504--toronto-police-struggling-to-solve-murders" target="_blank">Toronto Police ‘struggling’ to solve murders</a><br />
<blockquote>By the end of 2010, red was the dominant colour on the white tally board inside the Toronto Police homicide department.<br />
<br />
Red represents the number of unsolved homicides, leaving detectives frustrated and citizens concerned about the killers who still live among us.<br />
<br />
The total number of victims this past year was statistically about average — 60, two shy of last year's total, but down from 85 in 2007, or 89 in 1991, the deadliest year in Toronto's history.<br />
<br />
But following a disturbing trend, the “clearance” rate continues to decline, with arrests made in only 26 of 60 of the city's homicides.<br />
<br />
“We are struggling to solve murders,” acknowledged one veteran Toronto homicide detective who asked to remain anonymous.<br />
<br />
In the '60s, approximately 95 per cent of homicides were solved, falling to about 80 per cent in the '80s, and continuing a downward trend in the '90s and this century. By 2003, Toronto's clearance rate hit a historic low of 53 per cent, inching upward to 54 per cent last year, and sliding to 44 per cent in 2010.<br />
<br />
Leaving aside the intractable problem of reluctant witnesses, one homicide insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested that the police service would do best to look within to explain why there's more red this year than ever before.<br />
<br />
“Would it not be obvious to someone in charge that we're underperforming?” states the officer. “We face huge challenges and have not stepped up to that task.”<br />
<br />
The officer's take is that the homicide unit is understaffed and under-resourced and gets little recognition and support from the senior command, who have made uniform policing and greater visibility in the community a service priority.<br />
<br />
“‘Detectives' in this organization is a dirty word.”</blockquote><br />
The Toronto Star also released another related article which discusses some of the potential causes of this decline in the murder clearance rate:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/914509--is-toronto-s-homicide-squad-losing-its-lustre?bn=1" target="_blank">Is Toronto’s homicide squad losing its lustre?</a><br />
<blockquote>This gritty and fascinating world, the stuff of movies and novels — once considered the pinnacle of police work — has apparently lost its lustre with a new generation of officers.<br />
<br />
“It's not so much ‘can we fill jobs here?’ We can, but not like years ago when candidates were lining up. This is what everybody aspired to and it wasn't easy to get into,” says one veteran, who asked to remain anonymous.<br />
<br />
What has changed? For one thing, the Toronto Police Service, after a wave of retirements over the past decade, is much younger across the board, and many of those newer officers see police work as more of a career than a calling.<br />
<br />
They're in it for the prestige of promotions and the money. More than 700 — and not all high-ranking officers — pulled in $100,000-plus last year, many without the stress and aggravation associated with the homicide squad. They don't want to be called in the middle of the night, or on Christmas Eve, to some godforsaken corner of the city where a fellow citizen lies lifeless, riddled with bullets, slashed to the bone or beaten to a pulp.<br />
<br />
There's also more money to be made in uniform, through assignments such as paid duty, and you have far more control of your life with stable hours, plus “you hang your stress up at the end of the day.”<br />
<br />
In homicide, “a case starts and everything else is put on hold. When they weigh what they've seen, they decide it's not worth it.”<br />
<br />
It is also widely recognized that there are better opportunities for promotion in uniform, particularly at a time when senior management is placing a greater emphasis on officers having a higher visibility in the community.</blockquote><br />
Earlier in 2010, I published 2 posts which discussed this exact topic, <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/toronto-police-traffic-enforcement-more.html" target="_blank">Toronto Police: Traffic Enforcement More Lucrative than Murder Investigations...</a> and <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/toronto-traffic-police-can-make-190.html" target="_blank">Toronto Traffic Police Can Make $190 Minimum per Traffic Ticket Issued!!! </a>, and now more than ever I am convinced that these are the reasons behind this horrifying trend. I took a lot of heat for these posts, but whether it offends people or not, you can't argue with facts.<br />
<br />
Until something is done about this priority screw-up, we will continue to see this decline, and that's not good news for Toronto families.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: For more information on the the actual report that the Toronto Star article was based on, you can review it at: <a href="http://icj.sagepub.com/content/20/4/366.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">International Criminal Justice Review - December 2010 - Explaining the Changing Nature of Homicide Clearance in Canada</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/2565891889/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/2565891889/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/" target="_blank">PinkMoose</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-70291622374877409192011-01-01T08:51:00.000-05:002011-01-01T08:51:25.115-05:00Happy New Year & Best Wishes for 2011! --jackandcokewithalime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiyG96Cwqjr1xxvsSs23KAtIp5d9aXzFTgXH6S90TJA5oCXq26I7RDcJw5GBoYxrNZNw-C5Y_8Gjmg7cRDjKNB3yucua3zbVi6Udw5pB5_B4k-_GxvlMZrxOlNrsxsom8Nre4XH06dMVG/s1600/TorontoCityHallFireworks_by_bensonkua_on_flickrb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="526" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiyG96Cwqjr1xxvsSs23KAtIp5d9aXzFTgXH6S90TJA5oCXq26I7RDcJw5GBoYxrNZNw-C5Y_8Gjmg7cRDjKNB3yucua3zbVi6Udw5pB5_B4k-_GxvlMZrxOlNrsxsom8Nre4XH06dMVG/s640/TorontoCityHallFireworks_by_bensonkua_on_flickrb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
From all of us here at jackandcokewithalime, we wish you all a very Happy, Safe and Successful New Year for 2011!<br />
<br />
Your readership in 2010 has been sincerely appreciated, and we look forward to continuing to bring you <i>real commentary on the real world</i> in 2011!<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: I decided not to bore you with my New Year's resolutions for 2011, but I will mention one of them, and that's to try my best not to use the label "scumbag" as much this year... I'll at least "try"... ;)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensonkua/3123617425/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensonkua/3123617425/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensonkua/" target="_blank">bensonkua</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-91486869157932496462010-12-31T12:36:00.000-05:002010-12-31T12:36:41.915-05:00The MLSE Has Failed the Toronto Maple Leafs & Torontonians...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg1LFwVrcLxmN2t3qZaiXJ4YncCxZ1kqyoaGYpqefG6_R2zWHvjfLRMcl0Z1JEJOmUlLTFDTB9ItpLi_CkDEzPgOrC7iHqPPeSxxZJXiSw09gTOXqzxyCC7_82lHMo5vjPMm1SMcHfQ21/s1600/TorontoMapleLeafsStanleyCup67_by_scazon_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg1LFwVrcLxmN2t3qZaiXJ4YncCxZ1kqyoaGYpqefG6_R2zWHvjfLRMcl0Z1JEJOmUlLTFDTB9ItpLi_CkDEzPgOrC7iHqPPeSxxZJXiSw09gTOXqzxyCC7_82lHMo5vjPMm1SMcHfQ21/s640/TorontoMapleLeafsStanleyCup67_by_scazon_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You know, everytime the Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Group comes out and talks about how successful they've been at running the Toronto Maple Leafs' "Business", it just makes me laugh at how obviously ignorant they are.<br />
<br />
Running a <i>money-making</i> NHL franchise in Toronto is not the challenge, it's running a <i>winning</i> NHL franchise in Toronto that's the <i>real</i> task. In fact, I would beg to argue that it would be harder for the MLSE to turn the Toronto Maple Leafs into a <em>money-losing</em> sports franchise, than it would be for them to turn the Leafs into a <em>winning</em> franchise. Why? Because hockey is God here in Toronto (common knowledge), and regardless of whether the Leafs win, lose, or go on the ice and figure skate, the ACC will sell out everytime (these days they could probably charge more for tickets to the latter...).<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
If Torontonians are looking to have a winning team in Toronto, then it's time for a complete gutting of the MLSE Management and philosophy, including a change in the structuring of performance-based incentives for Executives. Making money should not be the driver, because as stated above, whether the MLSE runs the Leafs, or a monkey runs the Leafs, they will always make money. Performance-based incentives for MLSE employees should be solely based on the Maple Leafs' on-ice performance. Every time the Leafs don't make the playoffs, bonuses should not be given out to MLSE employees, and in fact, many of them should be immediately fired.<br />
<br />
That's how you'll make the Leafs successful. Guaranteed.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Yes, I'm pissed. I've basically said screw the Leafs for the past few years, knowing full well that they would not make the playoffs or do anything of significance. Then today I watched the Winter Classic Alumni game, and I remembered how much I use to love watching hockey... This mordern era Leafs team has completely ruined hockey for me, and I miss it terribly... And no matter how many changes we make on the ice or on the bench, nothing has changed or improved. In fact, I actually think they've just gotten worse and worse every year. At this point, only the MLSE is left to blame.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scazon/3037757670/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/scazon/3037757670/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scazon/" target="_blank">scazon</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-83710853125242875382010-12-31T10:53:00.003-05:002010-12-31T10:59:32.503-05:00Watching Mario Lemieux Play Still A Treat For Hockey Fans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HkfPKNEK6y9O08UgU_Azh_9bDdu2K_xndLBmuvBfyEvBqdmCuufluuqhU6ZSLtJybgs5PWse5yxE68Y6ZSGpSg675dbRd8FAsSjlpTBjpZUSGwpgb3e2l3VyIWq0r_XFWPUcb8PCa7LJ/s1600/TheMarioLemieuxMosaic_by_daveynin_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HkfPKNEK6y9O08UgU_Azh_9bDdu2K_xndLBmuvBfyEvBqdmCuufluuqhU6ZSLtJybgs5PWse5yxE68Y6ZSGpSg675dbRd8FAsSjlpTBjpZUSGwpgb3e2l3VyIWq0r_XFWPUcb8PCa7LJ/s640/TheMarioLemieuxMosaic_by_daveynin_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you're a huge Mario Lemieux fan like me, then you probably found a way to catch the <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=62729" target="_blank">2010 Winter Classic Alumni game</a> this morning at 9am, and if you did, then you definitely were not disappointed. The game ended up in a 5-5 tie between both Alumni squads (as much as the croud hated the fact that they didn't have an overtime period or shootout to decide the game).<br />
<br />
And in case you were wondering, Mario Lemieux, the greatest hockey player ever to lace up the skates, has still got it! ;) Mario had 2 assists in the game, and many close opportunities.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
If my wife and I didn't have to work today, I would have found a way to get down to Pittsburgh to watch Mario play again live. It's always been a dream of mine, and one of the things I've always regretted most for not doing in my lifetime. Instead, I watched the Alumni Game via live stream on pittsburghpenguins.com, and even though the video quality was horrible, I was still thrilled every second Mario was on the ice.<br />
<br />
The 2010 Winter Classic Alumni game will be televised via a 1-hour special on the NHL Network on January 5th. If you're a huge Mario fan like me, I would make sure I catch it. Apparently they have a bunch of the players mic'd, so that should be interesting.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: For old times sake: GO MARIO GO!!<br />
<br />
PPS: FYI: Here were the Team Rosters from the Alumni Game (SOURCE: <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547796" target="_blank">Final Rosters Set For Pens-Caps Alumni Game</a>):<br />
<br />
<blockquote>In addition to Lemieux, the Penguins’ alumni roster includes Hockey Hall of Famers Paul Coffey, Ron Francis, Larry Murphy and Bryan Trottier, in addition to Rod Buskas, Gary Roberts, Greg Malone, Bob Errey, Billy Guerin, Jay Caufield, Craig Simpson, Francois Leroux, Gary Rissling, Troy Loney, Kevin Stevens, Gilles Meloche, Phil Bourque, Dave Hannan, Peter Taglianetti, Warren Young, Frank Pietrangelo, Rob Brown and Rick Tocchet. Coaches will be Eddie Johnston, Randy Hillier and Pierre Larouche. Honorary GM is Jack Riley.<br />
<br />
500-goal scorer Peter Bondra leads the Caps’ alumni roster, which also includes Dino Ciccarelli, Michal Pivonka, Sylvain Cote, Don Beaupre, Pat Ribble, Ken Sabourin, Yvon Labre, Mark Lofthouse, Nick Kypreos, Alan Hanglesben, Dean Evason, Errol Rausse, Alan May, Craig Laughlin, John Druce, Dennis Maruk, Greg Adams, Blair Stewart, Gord Lane, Robert Picard, Paul Mulvey and J.R. Reich. Coaches will be Granny Grant, Joe Reekie and Bucky Gallagher.</blockquote><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveynin/5085645465/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveynin/5085645465/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveynin/" target="_blank">daveynin</a>on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-50634922160261448812010-12-31T09:26:00.001-05:002010-12-31T09:27:05.740-05:00Government Policies Partially to Blame for 24% of Canadians Driving Drunk?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNrXoSIDaz2M0zzqS6sLSWpO-wrjV69Ywoa0-GgPLS2FISeFYm6RNQQyHSi4ld5wTqtejrvOVijNhLL__Aqg3Ghvqvk2MFpF3FUTJ2nEfn-lYnYvb1GImXyJTuVOP5YRt4-OnsrXZROut/s1600/Toronto_Beer_by_butterflysha_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNrXoSIDaz2M0zzqS6sLSWpO-wrjV69Ywoa0-GgPLS2FISeFYm6RNQQyHSi4ld5wTqtejrvOVijNhLL__Aqg3Ghvqvk2MFpF3FUTJ2nEfn-lYnYvb1GImXyJTuVOP5YRt4-OnsrXZROut/s640/Toronto_Beer_by_butterflysha_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's just a question folks, and a fair one at that.<br />
<br />
I was listening in to NewsTalk1010 the other day, and one of the topics of discussion was the results of a new CAA Study that came out which showed that 24% of Canadians drove drunk in the last year.<br />
<br />
One of the listeners called into the show and said that the increased Taxi Rates -especially here in Toronto and Ontario- were a big driver behind the increase in Drunk Driving because put simply, people just can't afford to take a taxi home anymore because of the huge increases in the cost -not to mention the addition of the HST.<br />
<br />
Add to this the fact that people are getting charged with public intoxication while waiting outside a bar for a taxi or their designated driver to take them home (SOURCE: <a href="http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/12/06/12057651-sun.html" target="_blank">Drunks fined while waiting for DD</a>), and you now have 2 things that our Government has done to directly influence the increase in Drunk Driving in Canada.<br />
<br />
I'm just saying...<br />
<br />
Here's the story about the CAA Study from the CAA website:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.caa.ca/newsroom/newsroom-releases-details-e.cfm?newsItem=40&yearToShow=2010" target="_blank">One in Four Canadians Admit to Driving Intoxicated in Last Year</a><br />
<blockquote>Nearly one quarter - 24 per cent - of Canadians have gotten behind the wheel in the last year believing they were above or near the legal limit for impaired driving, a poll for the Canadian Automobile Association has found.<br />
<br />
A designated driver, calling a taxi or using public transit are all ways to avoid a potentially deadly accident due to drinking and driving, Walker added.<br />
<br />
Among the findings of the poll of 2,000 Canadians, which is considered accurate to within 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20:<br />
<br />
Opinion is virtually unanimous that drinking and driving is unacceptable. Nationally, fully 98% of respondents expressed this view, while 92% said it was completely unacceptable. Virtually no one (1%) felt that drinking and driving is acceptable. This opinion is shared from coast to coast with no less than 96% in any region calling drinking and driving unacceptable. <br />
<br />
Despite this strong opposition to drinking and driving, nearly one in four Canadians admits that in the last year, they drove when their blood alcohol level was above or close to the legal limit. Nationally, 24% of respondents admit to driving under these circumstances at least once. Most (22%) say they had done so only once (9%) or rarely (13%). Just 2% said they had driven under these conditions fairly often. Residents of Quebec, those under the age of 35, and men were most likely to say they had driven when they thought their blood alcohol level was near or above the legal limit. <br />
<br />
About the same number say they have driven after having a drink. Nationally, 28% said this, with 12% saying they had done so one or two times, 8% saying they had done so 3 to 5 times, and 8% saying they had done so six or more times. Women were more likely than men to say they had not had a drink before driving in the last year, while residents west of Ontario were most likely to say they had, compared to their eastern counterparts.</blockquote><br />
Here is a YouTuve Video from CAA which talks about the study:<br />
<br />
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<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/butterflysha/106042555/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/butterflysha/106042555/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/butterflysha/" target="_blank">ButterflySha</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-28092503404678056602010-12-30T23:07:00.005-05:002010-12-30T23:43:28.033-05:00Loblaws To Ignore Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's Plastic Bag Fee Abolishment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HEcxyXTzqHD12owPyZl2MgrvxvYZwm3MilKrrTXwjmL3WGpcBwNRf_QWd8PTEju9wtwtN20QE_geyhc22al_Swynk_9sQPLzycjUqMd7BzilWTFHUGClFM7jBsk4yUK0JVruVkQEJPJS/s1600/Loblaws_by_nayukin_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HEcxyXTzqHD12owPyZl2MgrvxvYZwm3MilKrrTXwjmL3WGpcBwNRf_QWd8PTEju9wtwtN20QE_geyhc22al_Swynk_9sQPLzycjUqMd7BzilWTFHUGClFM7jBsk4yUK0JVruVkQEJPJS/s640/Loblaws_by_nayukin_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Regardless of whether Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wants to abolish the Plastic Bag Fee, or whether Torontonians who voted for Rob Ford want to abolish the Plastic Bag Fee, Loblaws has decided that it will continue to charge the fee.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/914000--ford-wants-to-scrap-five-cent-bag-fee-can-he?bn=1" target="_blank">Ford wants to scrap five-cent bag fee. Can he?</a><br />
<blockquote>Mayor Rob Ford now says he wants to scrap the five-cent plastic bag fee. His opinion may not matter.<br />
<br />
Even if Ford succeeds in persuading city council to eliminate the bylaw that makes the fee mandatory, some retailers will simply continue charging shoppers for bags, says Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a Ford ally. Loblaws will be one of them, says a spokesperson for World Wildlife Fund Canada, which receives money from the proceeds of Loblaws’ fee.<br />
<br />
The company and its competitors did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.<br />
<br />
The Toronto Environmental Alliance and World Wildlife Fund Canada said the fee should be preserved. Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, an environmentalist, said its elimination would be “idiotic.” And while Langdon said the grocery industry group would not issue an opinion until more details emerged, he said its members considered the fee a success.<br />
<br />
Several major retailers, Loblaws included, extended the fee across Canada even though they weren’t required to do so. At Loblaws alone, World Wildlife Fund Canada spokesman Josh Laughren said, fees have produced a nationwide reduction of 1 billion bags. Langdon said the number of bags distributed at companies that belong to his group has dropped by 71 per cent in Toronto since the fee bylaw took effect in 2009.</blockquote><br />
If the purpose of the fee was to shape people's habits, and according to each and every one of these fee-supporters it's been very successful at that, then why now when the fee is removed should things change? The people who were against using plastic bags have now bought their cloth bags and they'll continue to use them, right? And the people who still went ahead and paid for the bags, obviously would do so regardless of what is done, so continuing to charge them for the bags makes no sense. At the end of the day, if the fee was a success, then its removal shouldn't be such an issue now. And if it wasn't a success, then it should have never been implemented. Either way, it has to go, it's that simple.<br />
<br />
The sad reality for Loblaws is that they will lose the customers who have a choice about where to shop and would prefer not to pay for plastic bags... They've been forced to pay this whole time, and now they'll be able to get the bags for free (if it goes through), so it's not a big decision there. <br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: The majority of items you buy in stores are wrapped in plastic, yet the City of Toronto needs to have a Plastic Bag Fee on yet one more piece of plastic? How does that make any sense whatsover? Not to mention Joe Warmington reported today in the Toronto Sun about a "Waterloo teen science genius Daniel Burd [who] used yeast, water and landfill dirt and made plastic bags disintegrate in about three months." (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2010/12/30/16713696.html" target="_blank">It's time to bag the ridiculous bag tax</a>.) Ok, don't feed me your environmental crap about plastic bags anymore....Thanks Joe.<br />
<br />
PPS: And one more thing... I know Loblaws says it's donating some of our money that it collects from the Plastic Bag Fee to the World Wildlife Fund Canada and etc., and that's great, but I think I can better decide where I would like to donate <em>my</em> money, you know what I mean? I've got nothing against the WWF, I'm just saying...<br />
<br />
PPPS: "Call it a <em>tax</em> or call it a <em>fee</em>, at the end of the day, they're all <em>taxes</em> to me..." - jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayukim/3827778100/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayukim/3827778100/sizes/z/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayukim/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/nayukim/</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-2469574954108329882010-12-30T11:23:00.001-05:002010-12-30T11:25:26.775-05:00Swiss Bank UBS Pushes Invasive Dress Code On UBS Employees...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh067LeXqQGmbqRciFPWyThnrWNK4u5eec6wSiP58UbrNfMjgIfiSaSzqEooggt1uh6EAEfFlSjrRZypIse4GcjlP2jPnxorK_d0ee0wv5q702StbR9NP5ukc-FY6RzEFSSytw-pKU5O0KE/s1600/Ubs-offenbach_by_ChristosVittoratos_on_Wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh067LeXqQGmbqRciFPWyThnrWNK4u5eec6wSiP58UbrNfMjgIfiSaSzqEooggt1uh6EAEfFlSjrRZypIse4GcjlP2jPnxorK_d0ee0wv5q702StbR9NP5ukc-FY6RzEFSSytw-pKU5O0KE/s640/Ubs-offenbach_by_ChristosVittoratos_on_Wikipedia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Apparently, Swiss Bank UBS is pushing a new invasive dress code on its employees in Switzerland, which includes what colour clothes to wear, requirements for the lengths of skirts for women, haircut styles, perfume usage rules, shaving guidelines for men, and makeup guidelines for women...not to mention, much, much more (44-pages worth!).<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Wall Street Journal:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019783931381042.html" target="_blank">Dress to Impress, UBS Tells Staff</a><br />
<blockquote>First impressions count. This is the message Swiss bank UBS AG is sending its Swiss retail banking staff with a 43-page code dispensing advice on how to impress customers with a polished appearance. <br />
<br />
Echoing rules applied at Swiss boarding schools, UBS's guidelines go beyond a list of dress "do's" and "don'ts" by providing hygiene and grooming tips often dotted with aphorisms worthy of fashion and beauty magazines. <br />
<br />
The move is part of a test UBS is carrying out in Switzerland across five pilot branches. It follows a recent advertising campaign aimed at re-establishing confidence in the Swiss bank's brand and mending relations with clients. <br />
<br />
<u>The UBS Dress Code: Do's and Don'ts</u><br />
<br />
<u>Do's</u><br />
For women: <br />
<br />
Wear your jacket buttoned.<br />
When sitting, the buttons should be unfastened.<br />
Make sure to touch up hair regrowth regularly if you color your hair.<br />
<br />
For men: <br />
<br />
Store your suit on a large hanger with rounded shoulders to preserve the shape of the garment.<br />
Schedule barber appointments every four weeks to maintain your haircut shape.<br />
<br />
<u>Don'ts</u><br />
Eating garlic and onions <br />
Smoking or spending time in smoke-filled places<br />
Wearing short-sleeved shirts or cuff links <br />
Wearing socks that are too short, showing your skin while sitting<br />
Allowing underwear to be seen<br />
Touching up perfume during or after lunch break<br />
Using tie knots that don't match your face shape and/or body shape</blockquote><br />
My question is, how will they enforce half of these rules? Especially the ones related to underwear/thongs and smoking...<br />
<br />
If you would like to review the entire 44-page document, it can be found at the following link: <a href="http://www.letemps.ch/rw/Le_Temps/Quotidien/2010/12/09/Culture%20&%20Societe/ImagesWeb/Dresscode_F.pdf" target="_blank">Dresscode UBS à l’attention des collaborateurs PKB</a>. However, please note that the document is in French (unfortunately I couldn't find an English translated version).<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Ubs-offenbach.jpg" target="_blank">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Ubs-offenbach.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Christos_Vittoratos" target="_blank">Christos Vittoratos</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-46644734781195631002010-12-30T10:35:00.003-05:002010-12-30T21:09:14.618-05:00The McGuinty Government Fails Ontarians With Mental Health Issues...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpw_pz1sPllSHx2eoh2oogAjBp5m3mZFgOZI_H23uET2dSto2AnbgPwgbM9Yklp8kwrLQebWsE8atzFuX3308xfAduwOZAMIVht1sgojVWZ178B-tEZ4atu7RE3KenHzlOQ7DQe1lyBOw/s1600/RespectRecoveryResilienceScreenshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpw_pz1sPllSHx2eoh2oogAjBp5m3mZFgOZI_H23uET2dSto2AnbgPwgbM9Yklp8kwrLQebWsE8atzFuX3308xfAduwOZAMIVht1sgojVWZ178B-tEZ4atu7RE3KenHzlOQ7DQe1lyBOw/s1600/RespectRecoveryResilienceScreenshot.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Could it possibly be yet another failure by our Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's Government? This latest one is yet another Health Care related fiasco, and this one involves Ontarians with Mental Health issues.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.healthzone.ca/health/mindmood/mentalhealth/article/913421--ontario-mental-health-system-faces-overhaul?bn=1" target="_blank">Ontario mental health system faces overhaul</a><br />
<blockquote>Ontario is going to change the way its “fractured” $3 billion mental health system works so that people get steered to the help they need, Health Minister Deb Matthews said Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Her comments followed a report from an expert advisory panel slamming the bureaucratic maze of agencies and government ministries offering a patchwork of services that often reach people too late — after they’ve had a breakdown or ended up in jail.<br />
<br />
The result is that the justice system and hospital emergency rooms get swamped with cases that could have been dealt with more effectively — and at less cost to taxpayers — in community programs.<br />
<br />
“The current way of organizing and delivering services is failing Ontarians,” said the report by a panel of 21 front-line mental health experts, including Dr. Rajiv Bhatla, chief of psychiatry at the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group.<br />
<br />
Matthews said the criticism is on the mark when it comes to people who are overwhelmed while coping with mental illness or addictions — as one in five Ontarians will in their lifetimes.<br />
<br />
The 48-page report called “Respect, Recovery, Resilience” contained dozens of recommendations, such as integrating service to make better use of existing resources and intervening early at the first sign of mental illness, addiction or gambling problems.<br />
<br />
Ontario now spends about $3 billion a year on mental health programs plus another $2.3 billion in related law-enforcement services — in addition to the $2 billion a year the private sector spends on disability claims and employee assistance programs for workers with mental health and addiction trouble.<br />
<br />
The report also found Ontario spends more per capita on hospital and physician services on mental health and addictions than other provinces, “but this heavy investment . . . has not resulted in a measurable improvement.”</blockquote><br />
Yet another $3 Billion McGuinty-Governed program that is "fractured" and is "failing Ontarians"...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: If you would like to read the actual report, the PDF can be downloaded at the following link: <a href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ministry_reports/mental_health/mentalhealth_rep.pdf" target="_blank">Respect, Recovery, Resilience: Recommendations for Ontario's Mental Health and Addictions Strategy</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from <a href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ministry_reports/mental_health/mentalhealth_rep.pdf" target="_blank">"Respect, Recovery, Resilience" Report</a> on the <a href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ministry_reports/mental_health/mentalhealth.aspx" target="_blank">Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Ministry Reports</a> Site<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-68212347294340168402010-12-30T09:29:00.001-05:002010-12-30T09:56:25.397-05:00Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to Abolish the Much-Hated Plastic Bag Tax!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e9pzR8NB0iR2ceXg5S1XG7_7mCVzPDXvIZqLLoqk-cTTg5lV2OxU0XIwzcZbg2PTKCHHBGmbomN1pb3xM_ksS2-Roqv-RxsFgzS1Nb_qnvA_ekw0thyphenhyphen-hoMpyuRo8S8ev3JW2iesHx0u/s1600/TorontoPlasticBagTax.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e9pzR8NB0iR2ceXg5S1XG7_7mCVzPDXvIZqLLoqk-cTTg5lV2OxU0XIwzcZbg2PTKCHHBGmbomN1pb3xM_ksS2-Roqv-RxsFgzS1Nb_qnvA_ekw0thyphenhyphen-hoMpyuRo8S8ev3JW2iesHx0u/s1600/TorontoPlasticBagTax.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I've said it before and I'll say it again, thank goodness for Mayor Rob Ford!<br />
<br />
In keeping with his title given by the people of Toronto, Mayor Rob Ford, "The People's Mayor", is as disgusted and offended by the 5 cent plastic bag tax implemented by former Mayor David Miller and his lefty cronies down at City Hall, as the majority of the people of Toronto, and will look to abolish it as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
The plastic bag tax, a tax based on pure stupidity, takes 5 cents for each plastic bag used when purchasing goods in Toronto (not to mention adding on an additional penny when the HST is thrown on top of it). The tax never had any kind of instruction for the retailers collecting the tax to give the money to the City of Toronto. Instead, the retailers were allowed to use the tax as they saw fit, with some giving portions to charity, and others keeping it for additional revenue. I mean, what other product can you sell with over a 500% markup, and have the full backing of the mentally un-sound former Mayor of Toronto?<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the National Post:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12/30/ford-seeking-to-abolish-plastic-bag-tax" target="_blank">Ford looking to abolish plastic bag tax</a><br />
<blockquote>Mayor Rob Ford has set his sights on abolishing Toronto’s controversial bag tax after hearing over the holiday season from shoppers who “can’t stand” the levy.<br />
<br />
“All of a sudden the five cents is really becoming a sticking point with people and it wasn’t really before, so I want to get rid of it,” Mayor Ford said of what it costs in Toronto to get a plastic bag at a store.<br />
<br />
The fee was brought in by David Miller’s regime as a way to reduce the amount of packaging ending up in the landfill. Consumers often pay six cents, when stores pass on the HST.<br />
<br />
Several major grocery chains have reported a dramatic drop in the number of bags distributed since the bylaw came into effect in 2009, but critics have blasted the tax, the proceeds of which can go entirely to retailers. The city encourages the money be given to community or environmental initiatives, but can’t force businesses to do so. During the campaign, Mr. Ford suggested mandating the charitable donation, but he’s rethinking it now.<br />
<br />
“I don’t want to burden the businesses with it to say that you’ve got to pay x number of dollars into this environmental program, so I don’t know what the answer is. But the taxpayers shouldn’t pay these five cents anymore,” said Mayor Ford. “I’m going to change how it’s being implemented right now, put it that way. How we’re going to do it, I’m not quite sure, but we’re definitely going to review it. Because spending five cents and just putting it in the pocket of businesses doesn’t make any sense to me.”<br />
<br />
But Mayor Ford highlighted the tax as one of his important goals for 2011 during an interview with the National Post on Wednesday. He said quashing the land transfer tax and “getting subways built” are also at the top of his agenda; he’s committed to freezing property taxes for residents “however we can achieve it.”</blockquote><br />
Finally, a Toronto Politician that makes............cents. (Yes, yes, I know that was horrible...)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: In case you were wondering, below is a list of the Toronto City Councillors who voted in favour of, against and were absent from, the City Council Vote on the Toronto City Plastic Bag Tax (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.robford.ca/votedetails.asp" target="_blank">RobFord.ca - Council Votes</a>):<br />
<br />
December 2008 - The City should <u>not</u> ban bottled water or charge five cents for each plastic bag - Yes (11), No (32), Absent (2)<br />
<br />
<u>No (Vote in Favour of Plastic Bag Tax)</u><br />
Ainslie<br />
Ashton<br />
Augimeri<br />
Bussin<br />
Cho<br />
Davis<br />
De Baeremaeker<br />
Del Grande<br />
Di Giorgio<br />
Filion<br />
Fletcher<br />
Giambrone<br />
Grimes<br />
Hall<br />
Heaps<br />
Jenkins<br />
Kelly<br />
Lee<br />
Lindsay Luby<br />
Mammoliti<br />
McConnell<br />
Mihevc<br />
Milczyn<br />
Miller<br />
Moeser<br />
Moscoe<br />
Pantalone<br />
Perks<br />
Perruzza<br />
Rae<br />
Vaughan<br />
Walker<br />
<br />
<u>Yes (Vote Against Plastic Bag Tax)</u><br />
Carroll<br />
Feldman<br />
Ford<br />
Holyday<br />
Minnan-Wong<br />
Nunziata<br />
Ootes<br />
Parker<br />
Shiner<br />
Stintz<br />
Thompson<br />
<br />
<u>Absent (Absent from Plastic Bag Tax Vote)</u><br />
Palacio<br />
Saundercook<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/packaging_reduction/pdf/sticker_5cent.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/packaging_reduction/pdf/sticker_5cent.pdf</a> by <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/packaging_reduction/" target="_blank">City of Toronto - Packaging Reduction Policies</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-10683943936963728482010-12-29T11:48:00.000-05:002010-12-29T11:48:03.889-05:00Apple Monitors & Sells iPhone/iPad Usage & Personal Info to Advertisers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1tz7QjkWdGwQ6ArH_O8bECHA78GyozALlzDpaVGs4NcTx_Iu1nN5-v_e7Dzn5OpHFEhqNaBc2W4KKdZv7LIY1rqNoyu7NoQKb9bxeBpiyRuOx426HrDRD9A8sQIicx-0F8T-9_LasJTB/s1600/iPhoneAndiPad_by_YutakaTsutano_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1tz7QjkWdGwQ6ArH_O8bECHA78GyozALlzDpaVGs4NcTx_Iu1nN5-v_e7Dzn5OpHFEhqNaBc2W4KKdZv7LIY1rqNoyu7NoQKb9bxeBpiyRuOx426HrDRD9A8sQIicx-0F8T-9_LasJTB/s640/iPhoneAndiPad_by_YutakaTsutano_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
"Yikes!!", is what most iPhone and iPad users were thinking when the news came out that a lawsuit has been filed against Apple for monitoring and selling to Advertising Networks, your personal information and usage statistics captured & stored on your iPhone and iPad (without your consent).<br />
<br />
Here's the story from Bloomberg on BusinessWeek.com:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-12-29/apple-sued-over-applications-giving-information-to-advertisers.html" target="_blank">Apple Sued Over Applications Giving Information to Advertisers</a><br />
<blockquote>Apple Inc., making of the iPhone and iPad, was accused in a lawsuit of allowing applications for those devices to transmit users’ personal information to advertising networks without customers’ consent.<br />
<br />
The complaint, which seeks class action, or group, status, was filed on Dec. 23 in federal court in San Jose, California. The suit claims Cupertino, California-based Apple’s iPhones and iPads are encoded with identifying devices that allow advertising networks to track what applications users download, how frequently they’re used and for how long.<br />
<br />
“Some apps are also selling additional information to ad networks, including users’ location, age, gender, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation and political views,” according to the suit.<br />
<br />
The suit, filed on behalf of Jonathan Lalo of Los Angeles County, identifies applications such as Pandora, Paper Toss, the Weather Channel and Dictionary.com, and names them as defendants along with Apple. Lalo is represented by Scott A. Kamber and Avi Kreitenberg of KamberLaw LLC in New York.<br />
<br />
Apple iPhones and iPads are set with a Unique Device Identifier, or UDID, which can’t be blocked by users, according to the complaint. Apple claims it reviews all applications on its App Store and doesn’t allow them to transmit user data without customer permission, according to the complaint.</blockquote><br />
It appears that though Apple is on the forefront of innovation, it may still utilize practices that in terms of Customer Privacy are prehistoric and illegal... <br />
<br />
Of course this has not yet been proven and Apple will have it's day in court, but it is enough to make me feel relieved that I'm a loyal Blackberry user... (That, and the fact that I actually prefer a real keyboard...)<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: I do have an 1st Generation iPod Touch, my wife has an iPod Nano and we plan on buying her an iPhone next year for her birthday...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivyfield/4486938457/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivyfield/4486938457/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivyfield/" target="_blank">Yutaka Tsutano</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-61268655121560934782010-12-28T13:35:00.001-05:002010-12-28T13:36:17.271-05:00Soul/R&B/Hip Hop Artist Slakah The Beatchild Defines Chill Music...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQFApT4acpF6nFPilPHOT0xuEaR5D33WXZeHKeFR4cvWmbnwJdV0J-Pe9WjdfJWLomW5bRqgza4irbXH7aN4uEeQr2Uk6xkLfWjEyzu0iDZUUgxYidK12bPL4AC0wAQNb-53smfv4fKxV/s640/Slakah_by_ZKProductions_on_flickr.jpg" width="441" /></div><br />
I caught "B-Boy Beef", a track by Soul/R&B/Hip Hop Artist Slakah The Brainchild on Much Vibe today, and I was happily surprised at the old school vibe and chill flow of his music, something that has been lacking of late in the mainstream music scene.<br />
<br />
After doing a bit of searching around, I found out that Slakah is a homegrown Canadian Artist out of Sarnia, Ontario!<br />
<br />
Below are a couple of his Music Videos from his YouTube page:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/beatchildproductions" target="_blank">YouTube - beatchildproductions Channel</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>Slakah The Beatchild - B-Boy Beef [Official Video]</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dyTEMJn7HZI?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dyTEMJn7HZI?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object></div><br />
<u><b>Slakah The Beatchild - Enjoy ya Self [Official Video]</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dKYf9tp0nWg?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dKYf9tp0nWg?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object></div><br />
Here is some Bio information I was able to find on Slakah's Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slakah-the-Beatchild/73247123379" target="_blank">Facebook - Slakah the Beatchild</a>.<br />
<blockquote><u>Basic Info</u><br />
Genre: Soul/R&B<br />
Record Label: BBE/Sony/Red<br />
Current Location: Toronto<br />
<br />
<u>Detailed Info</u><br />
Website: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/slakahthebeatchild" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/slakahthebeatchild</a><br />
General Manager: Wil Van Zyl - wil@novamusicgroup.com<br />
Press Contact: Alyse Feldman - ontheflypr@gmail.com<br />
Artists We Also Like: Ebrahim, Tingsek, Shad.k, Ayah, D.O, Tona, Zaki, <br />
Influences: Raphael Saadiq, Tingsek, J-Dilla, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, DJ Jazzy Jeff...<br />
Band Interests: Making timeless music.<br />
<br />
Biography:<br />
<br />
What do you get when you mix the flavor of Raphael Saadiq with the musical genius of J-dilla, then throw it in a pot and season it with a little Stevie Wonder & Quincy Jones? A glimps into the soulful fresh style & sounds of Slakah the Beatchild. The rest cannot be described in words, only through sound.<br />
<br />
Raised in the small city of Sarnia, Ontario, Slakah the Beatchild relied on a modest collection of vinyl handed down to him by his parents to satisfy and fuel his musical curiosity. At the age of 10 his mother was tired of little Slakah banging on her pots and pans as drums & enrolled him drum lessons and later piano & vocal. This laid a strong foundation for his ability to understand music theory.<br />
<br />
After several years of sleepless nights in the studio mastering his craft, he started to become known first in Toronto and shortly after in Europe.<br />
<br />
His first international release entitled Soul Movement vol. 1 on BBE records showcases Slakahs skills as a producer, artists & writer. The project features tracks with music companions such as Divine Brown, Drake, Shad.k, Ayah & more. Soul Movement vol.1 has quickly won the praise and respect of a wide variety of music lovers around the world, leaving them in high anticipation for more.</blockquote><br />
Slakah The Beatchild's Official Website can be found at: <a href="http://www.beatchild.com/" target="_blank">http://www.beatchild.com/</a>.<br />
<br />
Keep up the great work Slakah, you have some serious talent!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zkproductions/3751689452/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/zkproductions/3751689452/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zkproductions/" target="_blank">ZKProductions</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-40606608863341967072010-12-27T17:51:00.002-05:002011-03-16T12:12:39.641-04:00Reminder: Dalton McGuinty's 2003 & 2007 Election Promises/Platforms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjacXM2Tkm_E1oI3CMZc7HI18agb-3gg_jbILH2AvN7jxpYOzfmM5QoyNJc08Un4YR14PAnQ0Zqwf3yVyszJ63kD-F1F5y5fg7hpg_wFz7DA0oG6zIVxOXkADd9MiWzFC_xqSw0rC0g89/s1600/Dalton_McGuinty_2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjacXM2Tkm_E1oI3CMZc7HI18agb-3gg_jbILH2AvN7jxpYOzfmM5QoyNJc08Un4YR14PAnQ0Zqwf3yVyszJ63kD-F1F5y5fg7hpg_wFz7DA0oG6zIVxOXkADd9MiWzFC_xqSw0rC0g89/s640/Dalton_McGuinty_2007.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><br />
With the Ontario Provincial Election coming soon on Thursday October 6th, 2011, I felt it only right to display a reminder of your Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's Liberal Party Election Promises and Platforms from both 2003 and 2007, so that you can judge for yourself whether he has fulfilled what he pledged, and essentially, what you voted for in electing him your Premier.<br />
<br />
ASIDE: Here's another related story, in case you're interested: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2011/03/list-of-ontario-liberal-premier-dalton.html" target="_blank">List of Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty's Scandals with Details...</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Dalton McGuinty's Ontario Liberal Party Election Platform/Promises from 2003</u></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
SOURCE: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/ontariovotes2003/features/platforms_092203.html" target="_blank">CBC.ca - Ontario Votes 2003 - Party Platforms</a><br />
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<div><blockquote><u>HEALTH</u><br />
<ol><li>Pass "Commitment to Medicare Act," making two-tier medicare illegal.</li>
<li>Create an independent agency, called the Health Standards Council, to track delivery of medical services.</li>
<li>Give provincial auditor the authority to audit all health-care agencies.</li>
<li>Set limits for waiting times, starting with cardiac care, cancer care, joint replacements and MRI/CT scans.</li>
<li>Stop privatizing MRI/CT clinics and expand public MRI and CT services.</li>
<li>Invest in home care, taking first steps to make it an essential part of medicare.</li>
<li>Create 150 family health-care teams with doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other health care professionals; teams would be available to patients around the clock.</li>
<li>Add generic drugs to drug formulary as soon as they're approved.</li>
<li>Ban ER closures and open 1,600 beds to relieve pressure on ERs.</li>
<li>Provide guaranteed multi-year funding for hospitals.</li>
<li>Create Seniors Strategy by: cancelling Tories' 15-per-cent increase in nursing home fees; setting high standards for nursing homes; strengthening home care and support for seniors' centres; include seniors health in training.</li>
<li>Invest in community mental health agencies and increase supportive housing options.</li>
<li>Increase the number of family doctors by increasing quality of working life through family health teams.</li>
<li>Make medical tuition more affordable, and provide loan forgiveness for those choosing family medicine.</li>
<li>Remove barriers preventing qualified foreign-trained doctors from practising in Ontario.</li>
<li>Hire 8,000 nurses, with a goal of 70 per cent working full time.</li>
<li>Accelerate development of the Northern Ontario Medical School and Windsor's medical satellite campus.</li>
<li>Create Family Medical Leave Act, allowing six weeks of unpaid leave to care for a family member.</li>
<li>Take preventative measures to promote healthy living. Strategy includes mandatory daily physical education in schools, support for community sports and recreation, and an aggressive anti-smoking strategy.</li>
<li>Provide vaccination to prevent chicken pox.</li>
<li>Make Chief Medical Officer of Health an independent officer.</li>
</ol><u>EDUCATION</u><br />
<ol><li>Put $1.6 billion into education, on top of the money already doled out by the Tories in response to the Rozanski report. Goes beyond Rozanski's funding recommendations.</li>
<li>Create a cap of 20 students for all JK to Grade 3 classrooms ($375 million over four years).</li>
<li>Introduce full-day JK and SK.</li>
<li>Scrap private school tax credit and put the resulting revenue, estimated at up to $500 million, back into the public education system.</li>
<li>Provide $177 million to put a moratorium on rural school closures.</li>
<li>Fix funding formula to address the particular needs of urban and rural schools, i.e. librarians and ESL.</li>
<li>Require learning to age 18.</li>
<li>Make mandatory the daily teaching of writing, reading and math.</li>
<li>Allow parents to choose schools.</li>
<li>End labour conflict, by showing respect for teachers by "providing professional support." No concrete measures linked to this.</li>
<li>Promise that 75 per cent of students will meet or exceed provincial standards on province-wide tests.</li>
<li>Create teaching mentors, who are released from regular duties to share skills with other teachers.</li>
<li>Create a Curriculum Council, an independent organization to develop curriculum.</li>
<li>Schools to offer child-care and parenting programs.</li>
<li>Improve assessment process for special education.</li>
<li>Tackle violence with anti-bullying programs, threat hotlines and surveillance cameras.</li>
<li>Establish standing committee on education with annual public hearings.</li>
<li>Reform Ontario College of Teachers, making it a professional body similar to the College of Physicians and Surgeons.</li>
</ol><u>TAXES</u><br />
<ol><li>Hold the line on taxes, both corporate and personal.</li>
<li>Abolish tax credit for private-school tuition.</li>
<li>Create tax credit for training employees.</li>
<li>Create incentives for production of renewable energy sources.</li>
</ol><u>SOCIAL</u><br />
<ol><li>Build 20,000 affordable housing units over four years, involves matching federal funds.</li>
<li>Establish housing allowance program, providing relief for 35,000 families.</li>
<li>Revamp protection for tenants and create new rent controls.</li>
<li>Make assistance available to 75 per cent of all families with children under four years of age. A household making $75,000 annually would be eligible for $5 a day.</li>
<li>Give subsidy of $15 a day for families earning $25,000 or less. Those with low income and now have full subsidy will retain it.</li>
<li>Establish college of early childhood educators.</li>
<li>Enhance Family Resource Centres and Early Years Centres.</li>
<li>Repeal 60-hour workweek.</li>
<li>Increase minimum wage to $8.00 over five years, up from $6.85.</li>
<li>Double the number of apprentices in Ontario.</li>
<li>Increase support to women's shelters.</li>
<li>Improve enforcement of family support payments.</li>
<li>Create "Rapid Re-employment Training Project."</li>
</ol><u>MUNICIPALITIES</u><br />
<ol><li>Give two cents per litre of provincial tax to municipalities for public transit.</li>
<li>Invest in public transit, with a focus on tackling Toronto's gridlock.</li>
<li>Invest in highways and roads to improve cross-border trade links.</li>
<li>Make transit passes provided by an employer a non-taxable benefit.</li>
<li>Fast-track funding to maintain municipal bridges and roads in rural Ontario.</li>
<li>Fast-track funding to rural communities to improve water and sewer systems.</li>
<li>Work to develop "brownfields," or vacant, toxic, urban industrial sites.</li>
<li>Change Land Transfer Tax Rebate program to encourage intensification and discourage urban sprawl.</li>
<li>Establish Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt.</li>
<li>Will not impose amalgamations.</li>
</ol><u>ENERGY</u><br />
<ol><li>Will not sell off the electricity transmission grid.</li>
<li>Will not sell any publicly owned generating stations.</li>
<li>Keep electricity power rates frozen at 4.3 cents/kWh until 2006.</li>
<li>Phase out coal-burning generating plants by 2007, and replace with cleaner energy sources. Liberals say the 6,100 MW from coal plants can be replaced by 18,002 MW using clean energy sources by 2007.</li>
<li>Require all electricity suppliers to get five per cent of their power from renewable sources by 2007, and 10 per cent by 2010.</li>
<li>"Reward" those who reduce their energy consumption, and charge more to those who consume more than an average household.</li>
<li>Promote "smart meters," which track what time of day the energy is used, and charge accordingly. To be in place by 2006 when the rate cap is lifted.</li>
<li>Create program to help consumers cut consumption by five per cent by 2007.</li>
<li>Expand generating capacity, such as the station at Niagara Falls.</li>
<li>Build transmission link with Manitoba, representing 1,000 MW in a plan to add 30,702 MW to the province's generating capacity.</li>
<li>Create incentives for production of renewable energy sources.</li>
<li>Reduce red tape for clean-energy projects.</li>
<li>Work with businesses, commercial and institutional customers to reduce electricity consumption.</li>
<li>Make all publicly owned power entities subject to freedom of information and salary disclosure laws.</li>
<li>Create "truly independent watchdog" to regulate prices, utilities, and suppliers.</li>
</ol><u>CRIME</u><br />
<br />
<ol><li>Put 1,000 more police on the streets.</li>
<li>Enhance police intelligence services to tackle organized crime.</li>
<li>Increase number of hate-crime units in the province.</li>
<li>Hire 50 new Crown attorneys and 100 parole officers.</li>
<li>Establish community-based punishments for first-time young offenders.</li>
</ol><u>RURAL</u><br />
<ol><li>Invest in rural roads and bridges, and fast-track provincial support for improved rural water and sewer infrastructure.</li>
<li>Provide $177 million to rural schools, putting a moratorium on closure until the funding formula addresses the particular needs of rural education.</li>
<li>Prohibit unionization on farms.</li>
<li>Improve safety net for farmers.</li>
<li>Improve agricultural markets, in part by demanding use of bio-diesel and ethanol in gas.</li>
<li>Help farmers pay for improved "nutrient management."</li>
</ol><u>GOVERNMENT</u><br />
<ol><li>Call inquiry into meat inspection controversy at Aylmer.</li>
<li>Have elections on fixed dates.</li>
<li>Introduce Internet voting.</li>
<li>Require ministers to attend Question Period.</li>
<li>Expand powers of provincial auditor to include hospitals, schools, and publicly owned companies.</li>
<li>Ban partisan government ads.</li>
<li>Stop practice of contracting out services for which there are qualified public servants.</li>
<li>Make all government agencies subject to Freedom of Information Act.</li>
<li>Establish Citizens' Jury to determine political spending and contribution limits.</li>
<li>Will disclose contributions as they come in.</li>
</ol><u>ECONOMIC</u><br />
<ol><li>Balance the budget.</li>
<li>Reduce debt "as conditions allow."</li>
<li>Give more powers to Ontario's auditor.</li>
<li>Toughen securities regulation for publicly traded companies.</li>
<li>Build U.S. trade ties, open new global markets.</li>
<li>Make investments in sectors such as the auto industry, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, agriculture and food, information technologies, and culture. These would include skills training, research and development, and infrastructure investments.</li>
<li>Reduce paperwork for small business.</li>
</ol><u>ENVIRONMENT</u><br />
<ol><li>Implement every recommendation of the Walkerton Inquiry reports.</li>
<li>Build a network of water monitoring stations across the province and make the reports available on-line.</li>
<li>Pass a law to protect water sources.</li>
<li>Stop issuing water-taking permits to exporters while reviewing groundwater supplies.</li>
<li>Make companies pay for right to bottle water or use it in industrial slurry.</li>
<li>Establish Environmental Youth Corps, creating summer jobs for students to, among other things, test water or conduct home energy audits.</li>
<li>Prosecute and fine polluters.</li>
<li>Make regulations governing hazardous waste disposal the toughest on the continent.</li>
<li>Divert 60 per cent of waste from landfills over five years.</li>
<li>Phase in a ban on organic waste in landfills.</li>
<li>Increase support for waste diversion programs</li>
<li>Work to develop "brownfields," or vacant, toxic, urban industrial sites.</li>
<li>Change Land Transfer Tax Rebate program to encourage intensification and discourage urban sprawl.</li>
<li>Establish Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt.</li>
<li>Give two cents per litre of provincial tax to municipalities for public transit.</li>
<li>Invest in public transit, with a focus on tackling Toronto's gridlock.</li>
<li>Phase out coal-burning generating plants by 2007, and replace with cleaner energy sources. Liberals say the 6,100 MW from coal plants can be replaced by 18,002 MW using clean energy sources by 2007.</li>
<li>Require all electricity suppliers to get five per cent of their power from renewable sources by 2007, and 10 per cent by 2010.</li>
<li>"Reward" those who reduce their energy consumption, and charge more to those who consume more than an average household.</li>
<li>Promote "smart meters," which track what time of day the energy is used, and charge accordingly. To be in place by 2006 when the rate cap is lifted.</li>
<li>Create program to help consumers cut consumption by five per cent by 2007.</li>
<li>Create incentives for production of renewable energy sources.</li>
<li>Reduce red tape for clean-energy projects.</li>
<li>Work with businesses, commercial and institutional customers to reduce electricity consumption.</li>
</ol></blockquote></div><b><u>Dalton McGuinty's Ontario Liberal Party Election Platform/Promises from 2007</u></b><br />
SOURCE: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/ontariovotes2007/features/features-promises.html" target="_blank">CBC.ca - Ontario Votes 2007 - Election Promises</a><br />
<br />
<div><blockquote><u>TAXES</u><br />
<ol><li>Expand new home tax credit to cover all first-time home buyers.</li>
<li>Eliminate taxes on companies' assets.</li>
<li>Double tax credits for seniors earning under $50,000.</li>
<li>Tax credit for caring for relatives.</li>
<li>Sales tax break on bicycles and helmets; tax credits for families who enroll their children in physical activity. </li>
</ol><u>HEALTH</u><br />
<ol><li>Create 50 new family health teams, which include physicians and other health-care providers.</li>
<li>Hire 9,000 nurses, establish 25 more nurse-led clinics and guarantee jobs for new nursing grads.</li>
<li>Establish a strategy to battle chronic diseases, starting with diabetes.</li>
<li>Create a provincewide electronic health record by 2015.</li>
<li>Reduce wait times, increase cancer screening, adapt to population increases.</li>
<li>Create three-year Aging at Home program to help seniors with meals, shopping and other home-care services.</li>
<li>Fund other health projects, including increased hospital use, banning trans fats in school cafeterias and implementing a childhood fitness program.</li>
<li>Create a dental program for low-income families.</li>
</ol><u>EDUCATION</u><br />
<ol><li>Increase English as a second language (ESL) funding.</li>
<li>Increase special needs program funding.</li>
<li>Provide online and after school homework help and increase funding for community use of schools program.</li>
<li>Fund other public school initiatives.</li>
<li>Expand the $300 textbook and technology grant for post-secondary students.</li>
<li>Increase the number of apprentices by 25 per cent.</li>
<li>Fund other investments in universities, colleges and training, including pushing for longer grace periods before students must start repaying student loans.</li>
<li>Create early learning and full-day pre-school programs.</li>
</ol><u>SOCIAL SERVICES</u><br />
<ol><li>Fund other social services and housing investments, including scheduled continuing increases to the Ontario Child Benefit to $1,100 per child by 2011.</li>
<li>Upload from the municipalities the costs of the Ontario Disability Support payments and the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan by 2012.</li>
</ol><u>CRIME</u><br />
<ol><li>Hire 1,000 new municipal and provincial police officers; invest in police operations including the anti-gang and guns strategy; fund youth initiatives to prevent youth crime.</li>
</ol><u>ENVIRONMENT</u><br />
<ol><li>Invest in a variety of climate change initiatives, including cleaning up Great Lakes and Lake Simcoe, closing all coal-fired power plants by 2014 and banning cosmetic pesticides provincewide.</li>
</ol><u>ECONOMY</u><br />
<ol><li>Invest in the Next Generations Job Fund, a strategy to promote economic growth.</li>
<li>Support tourism industry initiatives.</li>
<li>Support the television and film industries.</li>
<li>Promote economic development in rural, eastern and northern Ontario.</li>
</ol><u>MISC.</u><br />
<ol><li>Other ministry investments.</li>
</ol></blockquote></div><br />
<div></div>So, what do you think? Has Dalton McGuinty lived up to your expectations? Do you feel that he has fulfilled all of his Promises and Platforms from his past 2 terms as the Premier of Ontario?<br />
<br />
<div></div>Please feel free to submit your comment and let our readers know your thoughts on Premier McGuinty's performance. <br />
<br />
Let's make an informed decision next October, Ontario!<br />
<br />
<div></div>--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image:</span><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Dalton_McGuinty_2007.JPG" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Dalton_McGuinty_2007.JPG</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> by </span><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sherurcij</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> on Wikipedia</span></i><br />
<i><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></div>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-65302679021555176572010-12-27T12:54:00.003-05:002010-12-27T17:55:38.341-05:00Toshiba Launches Glasses-Free 3D TVs in Japan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike_NyIeudr8aaKVGcMaT_LGiZO2K14dDlSBqz0Sa0CqTGnXQPZ2OzAEKgwyAl_cOyOp0W_lhMQEUqiXs5zlTMdGVaOfnqezSmFtEBFjYfxvbceeebsxztMjAE7EMqg2Q1nEMtGdXuiXVy/s1600/ToshibaRegzaGlassesless3DTV_screenshot_by_networkworld_on_YouTube2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike_NyIeudr8aaKVGcMaT_LGiZO2K14dDlSBqz0Sa0CqTGnXQPZ2OzAEKgwyAl_cOyOp0W_lhMQEUqiXs5zlTMdGVaOfnqezSmFtEBFjYfxvbceeebsxztMjAE7EMqg2Q1nEMtGdXuiXVy/s640/ToshibaRegzaGlassesless3DTV_screenshot_by_networkworld_on_YouTube2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
One of the biggest complaints about 3D movies and now 3D TVs is the requirement to wear those uncomfortable 3D glasses. It's one of the biggest deterrents for me personally, and it's a big reason why I always look for the 2D versions of movies.<br />
<br />
Avatar was one movie where I really felt the annoyance of the 3D glasses, and they actually ruined the entire theatre-viewing experience for me, as I spent more time being frustrated with the glasses than I did actually enjoying the 3D experience (if you can say that it is an enjoyable experience).<br />
<br />
Anyway, it appears that our mass-complaints about the 3D glasses have been answered, as Toshiba has now released in Japan Glasses-free 3D TVs under its Regza brand, and these TVs are now going for the equivalent of $1,400 USD for the 12 inch 12GL1 model, and $2,900 USD for the 20 inch 20GL1 model.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from a YouTube video by networkworld:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g4DpXDu72OE?rel=0&hd=1" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="640"></iframe></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from YouTube Video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4DpXDu72OE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4DpXDu72OE</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/networkworld" target="_blank">networkworld</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-11775147683530283752010-12-27T11:09:00.000-05:002010-12-27T11:09:50.762-05:00Manpower Study: 84% Of Employees Are Looking For New Jobs...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNkjNeoAakgkKTlIETEaDudXeVJhPcbVCSoW30g1Xo7MYVC_GLSJNpRY7W2t5fzTg4AdiVr73lFhY6urajwECq9GjU1o-mDxpUyeJvPATy6r9A39n5uSJUmmOeCXtvxnrbZ4YqFHAProj/s1600/BayStreetStampede_by_Duchamp_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNkjNeoAakgkKTlIETEaDudXeVJhPcbVCSoW30g1Xo7MYVC_GLSJNpRY7W2t5fzTg4AdiVr73lFhY6urajwECq9GjU1o-mDxpUyeJvPATy6r9A39n5uSJUmmOeCXtvxnrbZ4YqFHAProj/s640/BayStreetStampede_by_Duchamp_on_flickr.jpg" width="633" /></a></div><br />
Across North America, the past few years have been a time of tightening our belts and working extra hard to keep our jobs (with the exception of unionized workers and public sector employees of course). This meant taking on the responsibilities of multiple people at work with no justifiable compensation increase, if you were lucky enough to avoid being let go by your employer. <br />
<br />
This also meant wage freezes with not even cost-of-living/inflation increases, no bonuses, and basically the reward you got for exceeding expectations was that you got to keep your job...barely.<br />
<br />
While the average workers were being forced to make these concessions, upper management still got their big-time raises and bonuses, and in fact were rewarded for keeping the workers down and having them live in a state of fear for their livelihoods and security.<br />
<br />
Well folks, the every day non-unionized worker has had it, and apparently there is now a huge shift coming.<br />
<br />
Studies coming out now show that 84% of employees hate their jobs and are looking for alternative work (84%!!), and if employers want to keep their skilled workers (and not have to do some <em>actual</em> <em>work</em> themselves), they better start making sacrifices at their level, because the job search is on and the days of screwing the employee are coming to an end.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from CNN Money:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/23/pf/workers_want_new_jobs/index.htm?hpt=T2" target="_blank">New Year's resolution: I quit!</a><br />
<blockquote>Employers watch out: Your workers can't wait to quit. <br />
<br />
According to a recent survey by job-placement firm Manpower, 84% of employees plan to look for a new position in 2011. That's up from just 60% last year. <br />
<br />
Most employees have sat tight through the recession, not even considering other jobs because so few firms were hiring. For the past few years, the Labor Department's quits rate, which serves as a barometer of workers' ability to change jobs, has hovered near an all-time low.<br />
<br />
But after years of increased work and frozen compensation, "a lot of people will be looking because they're disappointed with their current jobs," said Paul Bernard, a veteran executive coach and career management advisor who runs his own firm.<br />
<br />
Douglas Matthews, president and chief operating officer for Right Management, a division of Manpower, called the results "a wake-up call to management. ... This finding is more about employee dissatisfaction and discontent than projected turnover," he said.</blockquote>Personally, I made a change a couple of years ago after seeing this trend in my previous firm, and now after another couple of years in my next firm, I'm again seeing this trend.<br />
<br />
Let's just say that I too consider myself to be a part of the "maintaining and campaigning" group of workers, where I am maintaining my current job, but I'm also campaigning for my next one. A reality that I'm sure the majority of workers now also fall under.<br />
<br />
Hopefully for the employers this new stat will be a wake-up call, and they will again look to rewarding employees for going above and beyond, and not just employing the <em>slave labour</em> tactic that has become a reality across North America.<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/16016715/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/16016715/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/" target="_blank">Duchamp</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-70761894761220887622010-12-23T16:09:00.000-05:002010-12-23T16:09:51.779-05:00Smitherman's Unfair Mayoral Campaign Sign Practices Will Cost Him $8,000<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGN4Jpmaj-dVMiQt_65d7cqyL7YYbsan2Sxq0siS0eBiuKsNTXDLZfK3d_J5H-rey6oyu-zJOFtDWV0SgmGdeMo2vtZmAFFp-HKib6Eh8_8paer9Zqxx_mjgQZxOvK3wfnIZh5_6eOFHy/s1600/Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="610" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGN4Jpmaj-dVMiQt_65d7cqyL7YYbsan2Sxq0siS0eBiuKsNTXDLZfK3d_J5H-rey6oyu-zJOFtDWV0SgmGdeMo2vtZmAFFp-HKib6Eh8_8paer9Zqxx_mjgQZxOvK3wfnIZh5_6eOFHy/s640/Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Former Deputy-Premier of Ontario, or scumbag lapdog of Premier Dalton McGuinty as he's better known, Frivolous George Smitherman was outted today for having violated the City of Toronto's policies in regards to the placement of Campaign Signs during the 2010 Toronto Mayoral Camapaign.<br />
<br />
Of course for those of you who were in a coma over the past year, Smitherman ran a shameful Mayoral Campaign that lost horribly to Rob Ford, and continued Smitherman's spiral of failure down the toilet.<br />
<br />
And apparently even though he used tactics to cheat in the Mayoral Campaign (via illegally placed Mayoral Campaign Signs), he still lost, and now he's going to have to pay $8,000 for his vilations.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/12/22/16650441.html" target="_blank">Smitherman hit with sign violations</a><br />
<blockquote>The former mayoral candidate got stung with an $8,000 bill from the City of Toronto this week for election sign violations.<br />
<br />
That bill adds insult to injury considering Smitherman lost the race to Mayor Rob Ford and emptied a more than $1 million campaign ward chest to do it. <br />
<br />
The former deputy premier was sorting through his mail and was shocked to find nestled among Christmas cards the registered letter containing the big bill.<br />
<br />
Considering the fine for having a sign on public property is around $25, it means the bill dings Smitherman for more than 300 signs.</blockquote><br />
I've got one word for you Frivolous George, "Karma".<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Dalton McGuinty, you are next!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg" target="_blank">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Skeezix1000" target="_blank">Skeezix1000</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-59339995836562799772010-12-23T12:07:00.002-05:002010-12-23T12:17:01.853-05:00Statistic: Less Than Half of Toronto Cyclists Actually Use Bike Lanes...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9ok1BGgs4iylo13iW8JK-40Iv_vR5dMTMc_u5yEqB0aszJF6pfCr5dqxZHw9WjII7bBNgjgL_kgfHjiVHwfQrYWpAaEyIF9x8Dt6C_jb24PO0ttgwMXTgvKmzxx_5jlbpIZmdz-Qs-Z7/s1600/LoneTorontoCyclist_by_Duchamp_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9ok1BGgs4iylo13iW8JK-40Iv_vR5dMTMc_u5yEqB0aszJF6pfCr5dqxZHw9WjII7bBNgjgL_kgfHjiVHwfQrYWpAaEyIF9x8Dt6C_jb24PO0ttgwMXTgvKmzxx_5jlbpIZmdz-Qs-Z7/s640/LoneTorontoCyclist_by_Duchamp_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Talk about a waste of taxpayer money...<br />
<br />
Statistics being released now by the City of Toronto show that only 45% of Toronto Cyclists counted during September 2010, were actually using the taxpayer funded bike lanes in the downtown core.<br />
<br />
The majority of cyclists actually preferred mixed traffic roads to bike lane provided roads, bringing to question the entire purpose of having bike lanes in Toronto, especially if more than half of Toronto Cyclists choose not to use them.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/911222--toronto-completes-first-count-of-downtown-cyclists" target="_blank">Toronto completes first count of downtown cyclists</a><br />
<blockquote>Toronto’s first count of downtown cyclists revealed that about 19,000 people entered the city core on bikes on a typical September weekday.<br />
<br />
“I might have guessed higher,” said urban cycling advocate and consultant Yvonne Bambrick.<br />
<br />
While only 24 per cent of the streets monitored for the count offered bike lanes, 45 per cent of the cyclists counted used those streets.<br />
<br />
Counters manually recorded the number of cyclists passing Bloor St. in the north, Queens Quay in the south, Spadina Ave. in the west and Jarvis St. in the east over one 12-hour period. They also noted each cyclist’s sex and helmet use.<br />
<br />
Compared with the number of cars downtown, of course, the number of bicycles is minuscule. The city does not have car numbers exactly comparable to the bicycle numbers it recently gathered, but a 2006 count showed 109,000 vehicles entering a larger downtown area between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. The number of cyclists entering the smaller downtown area used in 2010 during the same hours was 7,655.</blockquote><br />
To view the actual report from the City of Toronto website, please visit: <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/pdf/bicycle_count_report_2010.pdf" target="_blank">City of Toronto - Bicycle Count Report 2010</a>.<br />
<br />
Hopefully this reality will be a wake up call for all those Councillors who have been advocating for the creation of more Bike Lanes on major arterial roads in Toronto.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately in Toronto, when it comes to Bike Lanes, <i>if you build them, they still won't come</i>... ;)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/218053420/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/218053420/sizes/o/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/" target="_blank">Duchamp</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-18530955064580854182010-12-23T09:57:00.000-05:002010-12-23T09:57:11.351-05:00Ignatieff's "Fetish-de-Francais" Catastrophic for the Federal Liberals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPlXFs-cgI82Z-1Y2p1B6YxFzml-IWDRuiiJi9FHLP1tBuTZ0dIU3iimszP_U0pBypB9fKvQNv5PYMxK8uegPc6zlyYIWySDqVEQRmkDdkXiO3qTKAXcly6a_JAm83jHuma_O-60NTG02/s1600/MichaelIgnatieffFrench_by_MichaelIgnatieff_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPlXFs-cgI82Z-1Y2p1B6YxFzml-IWDRuiiJi9FHLP1tBuTZ0dIU3iimszP_U0pBypB9fKvQNv5PYMxK8uegPc6zlyYIWySDqVEQRmkDdkXiO3qTKAXcly6a_JAm83jHuma_O-60NTG02/s640/MichaelIgnatieffFrench_by_MichaelIgnatieff_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Much like his provincial counterpart here in Ontario (soon to be <em>former</em> Premier, Dalton McGuinty), Federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has shown his stupidy knows no bounds.<br />
<br />
His latest <em>queste-de-stupide</em> involves Bill S-220 proposed by his Senate which would modify Canada's bilingualism laws to require all workers across Canada at all airports, railway stations, ferry terminals and ports including all 3rd party contractors therein (ex. car rental employees, restaurant employees and etc.) and also RCMP officers, to be fully bilingual, or fully fluent in both English and French, in order to be employed in those areas.<br />
<br />
Meaning, that if Michael Ignatieff were the Prime Minister today, all of these workers who aren't fully bilingual (an extremely high majority outside Quebec) would be instantly fired.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/ezra_levant/2010/12/17/16594426.html" target="_blank">Bilingualism isn't a two-way street for Ignatieff</a><br />
<blockquote>What would Michael Ignatieff do differently if he were prime minister?<br />
<br />
Take a look at Bill S-220, proposed by his party in the Senate. S-220 would amend Canada’s bilingualism laws.<br />
<br />
For starters, it would require all RCMP patrolling the Trans-Canada Highway to speak French.<br />
<br />
Hundreds of English-speaking RCMP officers would have to be fired, including almost all aboriginal RCMP officers and minorities in cities like Vancouver, where the RCMP has recruited South and East Asian officers.<br />
<br />
But it’s not just anti-minority and anti-English. It’s anti-common sense.<br />
<br />
Canada’s current bilingualism laws require federal government services to be provided in French where numbers warrant. For most of the Trans-Canada Highway, the numbers don’t warrant it. Yet Ignatieff insists only bilingual officers be allowed to patrol any of it.<br />
<br />
Except in Quebec. It has its own provincial police force, called the Surete du Quebec.<br />
<br />
Bill S-220 doesn’t require those 5,000 officers to learn English. Ignatieff wouldn’t dare, because bilingualism, to him, isn’t a two-way street. Ignatieff wouldn’t ask Quebec to abandon its anti-English sign laws that violate the Charter of Rights.<br />
<br />
But S-220 also applies to “all airports, railway stations, ferry terminals and ports that are significant because of their location or number of passengers they serve.” So the ports of St. John’s and Vancouver would have to be fully bilingual. The same with airports in Edmonton, Regina and St. John’s.<br />
<br />
This would apply to everyone working at the airport, ferry terminal or port, including “third party contractors such as restaurants or car rental agencies.”<br />
<br />
My own observations suggest the majority of workers in airport food courts and car rental desks are new immigrants, for whom English is already a second language. S-220 wouldn’t allow them to work there anymore until they learned French, too. Try doing that at age 45 while raising a family and working 70 hours a week.<br />
<br />
There’s no other way to say it: S-220 is a bigoted, punitive, divisive law.</blockquote><br />
Just think about the workers in your local train station or airport, working at the security, or at a variety store, or at the currency exchange, or a restaurant, all of these people would be immediately be fired as they do not meet the highly restrictive and very unreasonable anti-English language requirements of Ignatieff's Bill S-220.<br />
<br />
And here's the kicker, these rules would not apply in Quebec (at least for Quebec's Provincial Police Force, the Surete du Quebec). You see, it is necessary for all Canadians to know French (even though they will never have to use it outside of Quebec or France), but not necessary for all Quebecers to know English (even though that is the Global Language of use almost everywhere). <br />
<br />
Leave to the Liberals to come up with such idiotic policies that would alienate the majority of Canadians... <br />
<br />
And Liberal supporters wonder why the Liberals are losing power across Canada, especially here in Toronto where Mayor Rob Ford was elected over Liberal George Smitherman, and soon Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty will lose power to PC Leader Tim Hudak.<br />
<br />
If you Liberals want to blame someone, look at your elitist, moronic and scumbag leadership.<br />
<br />
If I were you, I'd get Ignatieff to remove that huge croissant from his extremely loose ass.<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ignatieff/4730652147/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ignatieff/4730652147/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ignatieff/" target="_blank">Michael Ignatieff</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-76730689061357239212010-12-22T11:56:00.006-05:002010-12-22T12:17:02.983-05:00Toronto Councillor Adam Vaughan Misses His Beloved Miller Gravy Train...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK-Qb7WdbctBeTkhSrI3JlHJOiS-D3prb6AdRaAJVIiMjouaL-Mhif3rgLdeIv5y7C4BTku2fOU_6mnAZRlf3yv7N_3EqZpvmoqO8be-je_uJIr46jCwBWbCNMIoJqnDO1PQ7vriR_bDc/s1600/Adam_Vaughn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="514" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK-Qb7WdbctBeTkhSrI3JlHJOiS-D3prb6AdRaAJVIiMjouaL-Mhif3rgLdeIv5y7C4BTku2fOU_6mnAZRlf3yv7N_3EqZpvmoqO8be-je_uJIr46jCwBWbCNMIoJqnDO1PQ7vriR_bDc/s640/Adam_Vaughn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Elitist Toronto City Councillor Adam Vaughan, the #1 enemy of the Toronto Taxpayer, admitted to the Toronto Star that the Gravy Train did indeed exist under the Mayor Miller Regime, and now complains that a new Gravy Train has been created, and unfortunately for him, it is one that is finally for the Toronto Taxpayer...<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/909081--why-council-s-left-wing-let-ford-have-his-way" target="_blank">Why council's left wing let Ford have his way</a><br />
<blockquote>During the campaign, the Miller loyalists warned they would form a rogue government with a de facto mayor so as to keep the city moving. The belief was that Ford would not have enough support on council to push through his agenda.<br />
<br />
That was then. Today the political landscape looks much different. <br />
<br />
Ford has built a strong team of right-wingers who are relishing their new power. The mushy middle, largely made up of rookie councillors, is open to the mayor’s proposals. And with voters replacing Sandra Bussin and Adrian Heaps with more right-leaning councillors, there are fewer progressives in the mix.<br />
<br />
Between Ford’s momentum and the ideological make-up of council, the left didn’t have much hope, said Councillor Adam Vaughan, one of the few who voted against repealing the personal vehicle tax and putting $60 or more back in the pockets of those who can afford cars. “There is a gravy train and it’s still running through the city,” he said. “It’s just running in a different direction and through different neighbourhoods.”</blockquote><br />
Yeah, "priority" neighbourhoods of hard working Torontonians who don't need another tax so that Adam Vaughan and his elitist scumbag leftist colleagues can feed their wasteful and disasterous pet projects that do nothing to help the majority of Torontonians, but moreso help out the elitist privileged few.<br />
<br />
It's no surprise to see how disconnected with reality Councillor Adam Vaughan is, and how comfortable he has become is his sheltered shell of elitist rhetoric and magical fantasy that his constituents have allowed him.<br />
<br />
Councillor Vaughan was one of the Toronto City Councillors that was most adamantly against the repealing of the Toronto Personal Vehicle Tax, and voted against it. During his 5-10 minutes given to speak on the subject in Council, here is what Adam Vaughan had to say (if you would like to see this for yourself, please watch the online video at the following link on Rogers TV: <a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&gid=75134" target="_blank">Rogers TV - Toronto City Council Online Video</a>):<br />
<br />
<blockquote>I ran on a platform, I got elected on a platform twice, and in both those campaigns, I clearly stated to my constituents, and to the voters, and to the residents, and to the businesses, and everyone else who lives in the Ward, more than just taxpayers, I promised to bring forth, new taxes. I promised that, and particularly the Vehicle Registration Tax, but also some of the other taxes that have been afforded to us under the City of Toronto Law. I didn't do it to increase taxes, I did it to diversify revenues. And I'll tell you why I think that's so critically important at this time and why I believe, I think it was about 74% of my constituents that voted for me, because I took the case to them on a community-by-community basis, and explained why vehicle registration tax, which is never gonna be popular, but just might be fair, is a good way of diversifying the revenue streams. <br />
<br />
Those of us who represent areas that have a lot of real-estate speculation going on know that small businesses, and seniors in their homes, are being punished by market value assessment. This has nothing to do with whether they choose to drive or not, choose to own 1 car, 2 cars, 3 cars, they didn't choose to renovate their house or not renovate their house, the reality is that 2 people on your street flip a property, and 2 other people renovate their property, every senior on your street, let alone people that are on fixed incomes based on wage freezes, but everybody on that street pays for that speculation. And they are punished for it. And on small business strips in particular in the downtown core, the real-estate values are rising very very quickly, and caps are coming off, we've had assessments jump from 8 Million to 23 Million Dollars on 4 story buildings, and they're bankrupting families who have owned businesses in our Wards for generations. <br />
<br />
What the new tax revenues did, and there's about a Billion Dollars worth of them, in the Billboard Tax, to the Land Registry Tax, to all of the different revenue streams that we created in the last 4 years, that Billion Dollars in revenue gave us the flexibility and the power, to mitigate the most volatile tax people pay in this city which is property tax. I don't begrudge the fact people who have homes and businesses in the suburbs may see their property values dropping. With the elimination of Transit City you'll see those property taxes dropping even faster as mass transit moves out of those areas, and leaves those properties stranded. But what you're going to see is our inability in the future to mitigate the pressures that are coming to this city vis-a-vis the market value assessment driven property tax. You may not pay it on your birthday, but it is the biggest cheque you cut to the government, it is the most uncompromising cheque you cut to government, and it is the one cheque you cut to City Hall that we have the least amount of control over because of Provincial Legislation. These new taxes gave us a Billion Dollars worth of Revenue Streams and flexibility to manipulate and cushion the blows, and mitigate some of those impacts, and keep our businesses and seniors in particular, but others in very volatile situations in their homes. We're sacrificing that today, because we're making this decision the way we're making it, and that's a mistake.<br />
<br />
My residents supported this tax, and I will not break the promise I made on the campaign trail twice. <br />
<br />
The final thing I want to say, is the notion that has been raised with regards to this not being part of the budget item. I believe it should be part of a broader budget debate, and as I said I don't begrudge the Mayor the right and the opportunity to bring this forward now. But the truth of the matter is, is that we're not doing this fairly or equally across the board to everybody. And will restrict our ability to tax fairly in other categories later on. And that's a critical issue to me. It's not about how much we tax to me, but how we tax. And it's eliminating our ability without a full discussion. <br />
<br />
TTC riders who don't drive have seen their annual tax to use their transit system go up by $123 a year. No one's talking about that. Seniors and children on the TTC have seen their rates go up by a higher percentage than adults. We don't talk about that here. It's been raised before, but that's the practice. We pander to focused voting groups. And in doing so, we create winners and losers in this city. And that may be good retail politics if you're trying to attain the Mayor's chair, but it creates concerns for me when you're trying to build a city which fires on all cylinders, if I may use an auto analogy. <br />
<br />
There are others, all the seniors who don't drive, there are a lot of small business people who don't even live in the city and don't have to register their vehicles, in fact there were certain business fleets who were exempt from this tax. Why aren't they first on the Mayor's Priority list? How are we going to mitigate the pressures they're facing if we remove all these other revenue streams? If we can find a way to provide services, without interrupting the quality of those services, or removing those services from certain parts of the city and flat line the taxes, the Mayor will not only have my vote, he'll probably get my endorsement in the next mayoralty campaign. I just don't believe you can do it. The city manager told you, there is no structural surplus here. There is a structural deficit. Cuts are going to have to come from somewhere, and as we make those cuts, services will disappear, our ability to help other people facing difficult tax situations are leaving us today, and that's not right, it's not fair. This is about fairness, and this process is not being fair to too many people.</blockquote><br />
Wow, if that wasn't one of the most manipulative and mis-informative statements ever, I don't know what is.. <br />
<br />
Vaughan had a few key talking points in this statement (and I'm not talking about his rhetoric about the TTC riders that has nothing to do with this subject), and I've reviewed those statements below.<br />
<br />
1. Adam Vaughan said that he ran on a platform of raising and creating new taxes. Unfortunately, Vaughan was clever enough to pull down his Election Campaign website, so I can't pull exactly what his platform was to display in this article. I can however pull a direct quote from his Ward 20 website where he talks about taxes:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ward20.ca/our_neighbourhoods.php" target="_blank">Ward20.ca - Adam Vaughan - My Record</a><br />
<blockquote>TAXES The new Land Transfer and Vehicle Registration taxes were passed in October 2007. I supported and fought for these new revenue tools because they allow us to redistribute the tax load currently assessed against property value, so that the city is not as dependent on property taxes alone. No longer will downtown residents be forced to face all of the tax increases while suburban homeowners see their taxes cut. The Land Transfer Tax, the Vehicle Registration Tax and the new garbage user fees take more than $400 million of pressure off the property tax system. While you can’t avoid paying some of these taxes, your share of the new taxes won’t be based on ever-increasing real estate values in the downtown. Instead, taxpayers across the city will be treated more fairly. This is a huge gain for all downtown residents, especially those who live in neighbourhoods like Seaton Village where long-time homeowners have seen their assessments rise dramatically. Small business tax rates have also been put on an accelerated pace to receive tax relief. </blockquote>Is it just me, or is Vaughan's above statement the exact definition of Downtown vs. the rest of Toronto?? Or in his words, "pandering to focused voting groups". In fact, doesn't it seem like Vaughan is an advocate of the us versus them mentality in Toronto? Either it's the gravy train running through different neighbourhoods now (other than his), or fighting for huge gains for the downtown residents over the suburbs...<br />
<br />
Councillor Vaughan obviously just doesn't get it... And he has the guts to talk about fairness?...<br />
<br />
2. Next, Vaughan said, "I didn't do it to increase taxes, I did it to diversify revenues."<br />
<br />
Manipulative statement #1. 'I campaigned on raising taxes. ...not to increase taxes, but to diversify revenues'??? You see, it is this type of manipulative BS that got David Miller tossed in the trash, and is the key reason why the Left have been <i>left</i> powerless after the last election. YOU RAISED TAXES or YOU INCREASED TAXES!! WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, TAXES WENT UP BECAUSE OF YOU!! Don't try and wrap up a piece of excrement, throw some sugar on it and tell us that it's a donut. Excrement is excrement, it doesn't matter what you call it when it comes our of your mouth, Councillor Vaughan.<br />
<br />
3. "Why vehicle registration tax, which is never gonna be popular, but just might be fair".<br />
<br />
"Just might be fair" eh, Councillor Vaughan? People might wonder exactly what "elitist" means when used to reference people like Councillor Vaughan in Toronto. People who make statements like this are elitist, and it has nothing to do with their level of intelligence, or their education, because clearly, Adam Vaughan is a moron.<br />
<br />
Let's talk about "fairness".<br />
<br />
Adam Vaughan cries about the trials and tribulations of those folks in his Ward who had property values that were at $8 Million, and then the property values skyrocketed to $23 Million.<br />
<br />
Now, most normal human beings on this planet would consider an increase in your property value by almost 300% to be the greatest thing that could ever happen to a property owner. In fact, if you tell that to the millions of people around the globe who invest in properties for a living, they would be salivating at the mouth just thinking about it. Actually, pretty much any person on the planet who is interested in making money would be salivating at the possibility of tripling the value of their investment in such a short time.<br />
<br />
But not delusional Councillor Adam Vaughan. You see, Vaughan is one of those people who lives in a magical fantasy land of unicorns and rainbows, where when you make money, that's apparently a bad thing (and we wonder how things went so terribly wrong when Vaughan and his buddy Mayor David Miller were running things).<br />
<br />
But seriously, Vaughan's complaint is that those people who own these $8 Million properties that see their value skyrocket to $23 Million, now are facing higher property taxes resultant from that increase. You see, Vaughan just wants the benefit of the property value increase, and doesn't want to have to pay for that benefit. I mean, forget that this benefit has made them $15 Million dollars... No, let's conveniently forget about that. He's concerned about the tiny property tax associated with the benefit, which in comparison to the $15 Million profit is absolutely nothing.<br />
<br />
So, instead of having his constituents pay a tiny penance for the huge financial windfall that they've received from the increased property value, he would rather have them not pay anything, and instead, have ALL TORONTONIANS cover that for his constituents. I mean, forget that the majority of Torontonians don't have that great luck of having their property values skyrocket, and forget that many Torontonians can't even afford to buy a house or condo. Yeah, forget them. Forget about those people who don't happen to be lucky enough to live in or own multi-million dollar properties, and instead are living in the slums, or are on minimum wage living in subsidized housing. Forget about them. Forget about the fact that they have one car and need it to get to work every day. But yeah, let's get them to pay additional taxes because the millionaires don't feel right having to pay for their financial windfall. Yeah, let's get them to pay the tax because they "choose" to own a car... Yeah, yet the millionaires who "choose" to own properties that have risen in value by millions of dollars and want to hold on to them instead of selling and collecting their windfall, they shouldn't have to pay for their lucky fortunes. Let's get the poor to cover it.<br />
<br />
This is Adam Vaughan's flawed and help-the-rich-and-screw-the-poor logic that will never get him elected to anything more than a City Councillor, and really should have him shunned from any city-wide organization because of his inability to think in terms of the city, and not in terms of his own neighbourhood.<br />
<br />
Again, Adam Vaughan is really good at talking and manipulating the public, but just carefully listen to what he's saying, and you can easily pick out all of manipulative rhetoric and call him on his BS.<br />
<br />
People wonder why Rob Ford laughs whenever Adam Vaughan is going on about some crap... This is why. Ford knows exactly what Vaughan and his leftist elitist colleagues are all about. He knows they talk about helping people, but really they are only interested in protecting themselves, their elitist friends, and their symbolic pet projects (used simply to make them feel good about themselves). It doesn't matter what he says, his actions show exactly what he's all about.<br />
<br />
That's why Toronto voted for Rob Ford, and tossed George Smitherman (Adam Vaughan's endorsed candidate for Mayor) in the trash. And I'm not surprised that Vaughan was completely on board with having a Mayor who blew away a Billion Dollars on eHealth, who is the sole reason for our skyrocketing Hydro rates, and who is yet another leftist elitist who has received a serious reality check.<br />
<br />
One more point on fairness, and this is something that Gord Perks really stressed when making his statement before voting against repealing the PVT. Both Vaughan and Perks talk about how raising property taxes is not fair, while creating the Personal Vehicle Tax is fair. And it's just something that really pisses off Torontonians when they hear their Councillors' spout this ignorant rhetoric. Let's explore this for a short second.<br />
<br />
ALL Torontonians are impacted by Property Taxes, while only people who own cars are impacted by the Personal Vehicle Tax. Let's see, tax everybody, or only tax some people... Hmm... Which is fair? I wonder?.. Tax everybody, or only tax some people... Wow, this is so difficult to understand, right Vaughan and Perks?<br />
<br />
These manipulative bike-riding leftist elitist scumbags really are in their own fantasy world and seriously need to brought back down to earth.<br />
<br />
Their constituents apparently like their Councillors up in the clouds, so I guess it's going to fall to Rob Ford to put them in their place. Thank goodness it's Rob Ford and not David Miller... That's how you end up with structural deficits, and constantly rising property taxes, and continuously new user fees and premiums, all the while having reductions in services.<br />
<br />
Lastly, before I end this Adam Vaughan love fest, I thought it fitting to display Councillor Vaughan's Council Voting record here for your review. It's not ALL of his votes, but some of the more interesting ones.<br />
<br />
Take a look at his record (taken from <a href="http://www.robford.ca/councilvotes.asp" target="_blank">RobFord.ca - Council Votes</a>), and see if you feel that he firstly lives up to what he talks about, and second, if he really is looking out for the best interests of his Ward 20 constituents, and for Torontonians overall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrFNSHMbGbKhaEa0tlCLKfVZEo8p4ehoKM4Cvj9BQUBjGfqgHOpPTXyV57BwQ9Ke0e6Au9ZHMspmwRmFtJK458tQqkclpbv48K2sPDaQMhkO48KT7jPW-74-9G4APlR7qzQUNRvEPI_7_/s1600/AdamVaughVotingRecord5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrFNSHMbGbKhaEa0tlCLKfVZEo8p4ehoKM4Cvj9BQUBjGfqgHOpPTXyV57BwQ9Ke0e6Au9ZHMspmwRmFtJK458tQqkclpbv48K2sPDaQMhkO48KT7jPW-74-9G4APlR7qzQUNRvEPI_7_/s1600/AdamVaughVotingRecord5.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After going through that horrifying record, it should be clear why Rob Ford says that we have a Spending Problem, not a Revenue Problem. Councillor Vaughan advocates for increased taxes claiming that the city needs it, but when it comes to reckless spending on stupidity like $360 Million to tare down a portion of the Gardiner, millions for redevelopment of the Mayor's office and Nathan Philip Square, keeping his Councillor perks (like free city-wide parking, free TTC passes, free zoo passes and parking, free CNE passes and parking and free Toronto Blue Jays tickets), covering hundreds of thousands of dollars in Councillors' legal fees, and continuing to give out Councillor raises, Vaughan doesn't vote to save Toronto money, he always votes in favour of spending.<br />
<br />
If anyone is in denial about Toronto Council's spending problem, it is Councillor Adam Vaughan. The #1 enemy to the Toronto Taxpayer, and the poster boy for Toronto's Leftist Elitist movement, Councillor Vaughan needs a serious reality check.<br />
<br />
Don't worry, if anyone can do it (and is dying to do so), it's Mayor Rob Ford!<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Vaughn.JPG" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Vaughn.JPG</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank">Joshua Sherurcij</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-83488994060552237762010-12-20T16:10:00.003-05:002010-12-20T16:19:30.153-05:00Toronto's Downtown Pedestrians Smugly Ignore Traffic Crossing Laws...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMl2xY5hQCVJFipVe3_-AD3zLrKKjhrRv_WkHU6HmQn_0R1ILe1d1FcFVjSB3sa0ZYGXOpZaUNhoqN5ulaMejtlJtG8Vjmxn8qcEZPL1PsSfl7ng0Jg545kqZ39g-uI3OkHRZUNLelzTH/s1600/PedestriansObeyTheSignals_by_sillygwailo_on_flickrjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMl2xY5hQCVJFipVe3_-AD3zLrKKjhrRv_WkHU6HmQn_0R1ILe1d1FcFVjSB3sa0ZYGXOpZaUNhoqN5ulaMejtlJtG8Vjmxn8qcEZPL1PsSfl7ng0Jg545kqZ39g-uI3OkHRZUNLelzTH/s640/PedestriansObeyTheSignals_by_sillygwailo_on_flickrjpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<i>This one is going to get me in trouble for sure... Oh well, here it goes...</i><br />
<br />
It seems like almost every day I hear about another Pedestrian in Toronto being hit by a car, or bus, or streetcar or truck, and as bad as I feel about it, if you take a drive downtown, you see nothing but Pedestrians breaking the most basic of traffic crossing laws; laws that were taught in elementary school and even a kid in kindergarten can understand.<br />
<br />
Therefore, as sad as I am to say it, if Pedestrians are negligent to the most simplest of traffic crossing laws, then they deserve to get hit.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
...What? Yeah, I said it! How else will they learn? Sometimes telling people that "fire is hot" is not enough, some people need to touch the fire in order to understand. Well, maybe the same thing applies with Pedestrians? Believe me, once they get hit, suddenly they will start obeying the laws of the road every time. ;)<br />
<br />
<hr /><strong>DISCLAIMER: In no way with this article is jackandcokewithalime giving an endorsement to hit law-breaking pedestrians with your vehicle, even if they deserve it. jackandcokewithalime does not condone the teaching of lessons to law-breaking pedestrians via hitting them with your vehicle.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Seriously though, if you do see a law-breaking pedestrian crossing the road inappropriately, please just patiently wait for them to finish crossing before proceeding.</strong><br />
<hr /><br />
Now, of course I would never want someone to get hit by a car, and my statement above doesn't apply to children, though they're not the ones who continuously break the law. In fact, kids are shining examples of pedestrians who obey and follow the crossing laws. It's the adults who seem to have the problem...<br />
<br />
So, where is this all coming from, you ask? Well, I'll tell you.<br />
<br />
Recently, my wife re-aggrevated an old sports injury (hamstring pull), and her doctor advised her to avoid riding the TTC for 4 weeks or so, just until it felt better. As such, I've been giving her a ride to work every morning, and I've been picking her up after work as well. She works downtown by York and King. <br />
<br />
So, every day I come north on Yonge from the Gardiner and make a left onto Front, and then eventually make a right onto York, and then drop her off or pick her up, and then another right onto King, and then a left onto the Bayview Extension, and etc.<br />
<br />
And every time I sit at York and Front or York and King, I have to wait for at least 5 lights before I can make my right turn because Pedestrians just can't understand that a walking person symbol means they can cross, and a flashing hand or a solid hand means they can't cross. It's really very simple, yet Toronto Pedestrians still begin to cross, even when the flashing hand is sitting with 1 second left on the countdown. Then, by the time they finish crossing, people are now crossing in the other direction, and the same thing happens again. Next thing you know, 5 lights have passed, traffic is ensnarled behind you waiting for you to make that right turn, you still haven't had the opportunity, and you are ready to just run over the next Pedestrian who breaks the law. And when you finally actually go, the Pedestrians who are breaking the law have the guts to give you a bad look, like it's their right of way???!!! <br />
<br />
You see, I don't know if this is just Pedestrians not understanding the laws, or them just smugly ignoring the laws, because Toronto of course had a "war on the car" agenda for the past 2 Mayoral Terms (a la Mayor David Miller), and now Pedestrians simply don't give a damn about cars. I mean, how dare cars use the roads that were designed for them, right? I mean, how dare cars even come downtown, right, you Millerites?<br />
<br />
Well, just incase it is the former (Pedestrians not understanding/knowing the crossing laws), here is a quote from the Toronto.ca Traffic website to help you with that:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/traffic/ped_signals.htm" target="_blank">Toronto.ca - Traffic - Crossing the Streets the Safe Way</a><br />
<blockquote>The province has established minimum walking times based on a pedestrian walking speed of 1.25 meters per second. While all signals in Toronto meet this standard, most provide additional time for pedestrians to cross the street. <br />
<br />
<strong>Toronto Transportation Services uses three signals for pedestrians crossing the street. In addition to the walking person symbol, there is the flashing helping hand and the steady halting hand. When the walking person is no longer on the screen facing the pedestrian, the flashing helping hand appears. That’s when the hand on the screen flashes. It means that pedestrians already crossing should continue to do so at a comfortable rate of speed, <u>but those who have not started should not do so</u>. <u>The steady halting hand means don’t cross – pedestrians no longer have the right of way</u>.</strong><br />
<br />
It’s all about safety. Use the pedestrian signals to make your crossing as safe as possible.</blockquote><br />
So, it's very simple. If there is a walking person crossing symbol, you can begin to cross. If there isn't a walking person crossing symbol, DON'T BEGIN TO CROSS!!!! If you have already started crossing before the hand appears, then you may continue to cross. If you see a hand, whether it's flashing with a countdown, or solid, DON'T CROSS!!! <br />
<br />
I mean, is that so complicated, Pedestrians?? <br />
<br />
If you get hit by a car because you started crossing when there was a hand (whether flashing or not), it's your own damn fault, and honestly, you deserve it.<br />
<br />
Now let all of the angry pedestrian comments commence... I expect them, even from my wife, as she has admitted to me that she too still crosses when there's a flashing hand and more than 5 seconds on the clock. You see, I'm not playing favorites here. I told her straight up that she then deserves to get hit by a car too. (I then got the silent treatment for the rest of the ride home).<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
PS: Yes, yes, this is a road rage driven rant... I agree... <br />
<br />
PPS: Maybe if they installed right turn advances for cars downtown, that may help things... Anyway, that still doesn't solve the problem of law-breaking Pedestrians...<br />
<br />
PPPS: As much as I would hate to have the Police out there wasting their time on ticketing Pedestrians, that could be a great new revenue source for Toronto. I see literally hundreds and hundreds of people breaking the crossing laws every morning and afternoon downtown in Toronto every single day. Giving each of them a $30 ticket, twice every day, for the entire year could make up more than enough money to cover the now abolished Personal Vehicle Tax! Maybe they could then use that money to actually fix the roads for cars... :) I'm just saying...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://justagwailo.com/flickr/2006/06/12/5876" target="_blank">http://justagwailo.com/flickr/2006/06/12/5876</a> by <a href="http://justagwailo.com/" target="_blank">Just a Gwai Lo</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-64181673927756130882010-12-18T07:05:00.001-05:002010-12-18T07:07:59.401-05:00Toronto City Councillor Janet Davis Shows Her Uselessness To Ward 31...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC-rmLPC29BecgK-1phmCM1-9r-dg4B7NzdeP-lnQ1qqvEeMblJ_LRfZXjpCdj3uDbLhcxPLSAppWD9Py4heabW8Ovzhqfi_VZgAPa4sZTjovN_IqyfMsofqUKzT2Jck3Z9YHPELU8WmR/s1600/TorontoCityCouncillorJanetDavis_by_Photoist_on_Wikipedia_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC-rmLPC29BecgK-1phmCM1-9r-dg4B7NzdeP-lnQ1qqvEeMblJ_LRfZXjpCdj3uDbLhcxPLSAppWD9Py4heabW8Ovzhqfi_VZgAPa4sZTjovN_IqyfMsofqUKzT2Jck3Z9YHPELU8WmR/s640/TorontoCityCouncillorJanetDavis_by_Photoist_on_Wikipedia_cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Even though residents of Ward 31 Beaches-East York re-elected Toronto City Councillor Janet Davis, she continues to fail her constituents, and the kicker is that it is the Ford brothers -Davis' exact Political Opposites- who pick up and put back together the pieces that Davis and her office leave behind.<br />
<br />
The latest story coming out from the Toronto star -of all places- is in regards to Maxine, a 77 year old who needed to call Doug Ford to help her out, as Janet Davis, her Toronto City Councillor, couldn't be bothered to care for the safety of the Seniors in her ward.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/908235--fiorito-ford-brothers-staying-true-to-their-promise" target="_blank">Fiorito: Ford brothers staying true to their promise</a><br />
<blockquote>Maxine lives at 444 Lumsden, a five-minute walk north of the Main St. subway station. It is a building of suspect elevators, occasional bedbugs, insignificant maintenance, and no security cameras in the underground parking garage.<br />
<br />
I went to see Maxine the other day. She explained what happened as she parked her car in the empty garage: “All of a sudden, this guy shows up out of nowhere. He was heavy-set, white, wearing a black toque, dressed in black, wearing clear glasses; maybe in his 30s.”<br />
<br />
Maxine is 77 years old.<br />
<br />
She said, “I had a feeling something wasn’t right. I said, ‘You looking for something?’ He said, ‘I came to meet my friend.’ I said, ‘Where does your friend live?’ He said, ‘My name is Brad.’”<br />
<br />
“I started walking towards him. I pointed my finger at him like this.” She held her arm straight out. “I was using my dominating voice. I said, ‘You know what, Brad? You’re on camera.’”<br />
<br />
A bold little lie.<br />
<br />
“He sort of flinched. He asked how to get out. I kept pointing at him. I told him I’d show him the way.”<br />
<br />
She has been pushing to have security cameras in the parking garage for the past two years. She was told that the money was in the budget. But every time there was a meeting, and every time she asked, she was put off.<br />
<br />
This time?<br />
<br />
“I called TCHC security. They said I should have called the police.” Duh. “I called TCHC. I couldn’t get them on the phone. Then I called Doug Ford’s office.” <br />
<br />
Doug Ford is not her councillor. Janet Davis is her councillor. But Maxine called Ford because the Fords have promised to return all calls and get action.<br />
<br />
She got action. <br />
<br />
Very shortly thereafter, TCHC called Maxine and made mealy-mouthed and apologetic noises about emergencies and delays. <br />
<br />
And then a staffer from Janet Davis’ office called Maxine and said the cameras would be installed shortly. The Davis staffer said, with a tinge of sarcasm, “If they’re not installed, I guess you know what to do.” <br />
<br />
Yeah, I guess she does. And maybe that’s why you-know-who got elected.</blockquote><br />
Not only did Councillor Davis fail her constituents, but she has the audacity to tell them to reach out to the Fords to solve their problems???<br />
<br />
And Ward 31 re-elected her??!! It's ok Ward 31, you'll know better next time.<br />
<br />
And just an FYI, Councillor Janet Davis was one of the 6 Toronto City Councillors that voted against repealing the Toronto Personal Vehicle Tax on Thursday... There's looking out for the Seniors in her Constituency. She also voted against exempting Seniors from the Personal Vehicle Tax way back in October 2007 before it was implemented.<br />
<br />
Councillor Janet Davis, a real scumbag public representative, and yet another member of Toronto's Worst City Councillors.<br />
<br />
Thanks goodness for Rob and Doug Ford...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Good for you <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/columnists/94546--fiorito-joe" target="_blank">Joe Fiorito</a>! I hope the Toronto Star doesn't fire you for telling the truth about Rob & Doug Ford. If Hume, James or Hepburn told this story, Rob and Doug Ford would have somehow been to blame...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Janet_Davis_and_Friends.jpg" target="_blank">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Janet_Davis_and_Friends.jpg</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Photoist&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">Photoist</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-84351281295498051602010-12-18T06:16:00.000-05:002010-12-18T06:16:14.663-05:00Tim Hudak to Scrap Dalton McGuinty's Eco Fees When Elected in 2011!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNVZkdJKCtcmrlabFaWlDD6_9WEnx4n2Spg1wDXgVZ_HTkwi78he0rKBrw0_fAgORYxrxqCfHTV5MnqJu9rhKajVHNe4VsCt4zEuhnro-sBqtVQzUKo29JPl0H19cZ96aPxV-j9oV6Prr/s1600/Tim_Hudak_Wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNVZkdJKCtcmrlabFaWlDD6_9WEnx4n2Spg1wDXgVZ_HTkwi78he0rKBrw0_fAgORYxrxqCfHTV5MnqJu9rhKajVHNe4VsCt4zEuhnro-sBqtVQzUKo29JPl0H19cZ96aPxV-j9oV6Prr/s640/Tim_Hudak_Wikipedia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader, Tim Hudak, announced yesterday that when the Conservatives win next year's Ontario Provincial Election, like Dalton McGuinty and his Ontario Liberal Party's future, McGuinty's Eco Fees will be tossed in the trash.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/909062--hudak-vows-to-scrap-tv-electronics-fees" target="_blank">Hudak vows to scrap TV, electronics fees</a><br />
<blockquote>Extra fees of up to $30 and more to pay for the safe disposal of televisions, printers and other electronics would be scrapped if the Progressive Conservatives win next October’s election, Tim Hudak says.<br />
<br />
Taking aim at complaints from shoppers during the Christmas season about the fees, the Progressive Conservative leader said the fees are becoming a “tipping point” for people on tight incomes after the recession.<br />
<br />
“Dalton McGuinty is so out of touch he sees it as just a few bucks here and there,” Hudak told reporters Friday.<br />
<br />
He called on the premier to axe the fees, which include $26.25 when buying a new big-screen TV, $32.50 on a multi-function printer, $12.25 on monitors, $2.75 on portable computers and $1 on telephones, to name a few. Retailers charge the HST on top of that. <br />
<br />
“If Dalton McGuinty won’t do it, a PC government will. Voters willing, this will be the last Christmas that families get hit by Dalton McGuinty’s electronics eco tax grab.”<br />
<br />
A spokesman for Environment Minister John Wilkinson said it makes no sense to axe the fees, saying such a move would “put public health at risk” by having more electronics go into garbage dumps and leach toxins.<br />
<br />
But Hudak said the program took $44 million from consumers last year and resulted in the recycling of just two per cent of its target. <br />
<br />
“A lot of this stuff is going into landfills anyway. This is nothing but a greedy tax that does nothing for recycling or the environment,” said Hudak.</blockquote>Finally, Leadership that actually makes sense. It's been a long time coming in both the Ontario and Toronto Governments... But now with Rob Ford in as the new Mayor of Toronto, and Dalton McGuinty soon to be exterminated from the Ontario Legislature, things are finally looking up for the Taxpayer.<br />
<br />
Good for you Tim Hudak! And UP YOURS Dalton McGuinty!!! You have exactly 291 days left in office... Come the next Ontario Provincial Election on Thursday October 6th, 2011, we will finally be rid of you!<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Hudak.jpg" target="_blank">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Hudak.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Andrew_c" target="_blank">Andrew C</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-35997535462362323382010-12-17T16:27:00.002-05:002010-12-18T18:06:34.812-05:00Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Successfully Abolished the Personal Vehicle Tax!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVHoPccNwA_wvsc3PQ334EmR12ZOUSb100fE_9SkYjvEzYejxGohPXcoxLu2_IjmwR7OODHQ_bE8GhihvmniecYwlycQ2bK09IN6yZfikXB8ZV2vxY6jjndur2yovJrD0JuXjrKee1JN4/s1600/RobFord-CouncillorPVTAndBudgetVote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVHoPccNwA_wvsc3PQ334EmR12ZOUSb100fE_9SkYjvEzYejxGohPXcoxLu2_IjmwR7OODHQ_bE8GhihvmniecYwlycQ2bK09IN6yZfikXB8ZV2vxY6jjndur2yovJrD0JuXjrKee1JN4/s640/RobFord-CouncillorPVTAndBudgetVote.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Wow, a Toronto Mayor that actually keeps his word... Who'd a thought it..<br />
<br />
Yesterday Mayor Rob Ford successfully pushed his motion to Abolish the Personal Vehicle Tax through Toronto City Council!<br />
<br />
To watch the online video of the Toronto City Council Meeting on December 16th where this vote took place, and also to watch any of the Toronto City Council Meetings, please visit: <a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?sid=1030&rid=16&lid=12" target="_blank">Rogers TV - Toronto City Council</a>.<br />
<br />
Below are the results of the votes, and which Councillors voted for and against abolishing the Personal Vehicle Tax:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lkymQqdi_5v8IYmVx9mCrB6Pwk9_6j_vHmiQRpla2En7iLbta4jyLg5d3kUzyENM1VUPcioHY3VUOGLhSM4igyTzF_VNPLedS-dwNfGOc-38EZgfp89tS3fg4YK9SKGYvDi1lLDiPkei/s1600/TorontoCouncilPVTVoteResultDec162010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lkymQqdi_5v8IYmVx9mCrB6Pwk9_6j_vHmiQRpla2En7iLbta4jyLg5d3kUzyENM1VUPcioHY3VUOGLhSM4igyTzF_VNPLedS-dwNfGOc-38EZgfp89tS3fg4YK9SKGYvDi1lLDiPkei/s640/TorontoCouncilPVTVoteResultDec162010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
In case it is not clear enough to see in the video screen capture above, below are the Toronto City Councillors who voted NO to abolishing the Personal Vehicle Tax (a move that is directly against the wishes of the Toronto Voters who in Majority elected Rob Ford as Mayor and his Mandate of Respect for the Taxpayer):<br />
<br />
1. Janet Davis<br />
2. Sarah Doucette<br />
3. Pam McConnell<br />
4. Joe Mihevc<br />
5. Gord Perks<br />
6. Adam Vaughan<br />
<br />
In addition to Abolishing the Toronto Personal Vehicle Tax, Mayor Rob Ford also got Council to approve slashing Councillor Expense Budgets from approx. $50,000 to $30,000.<br />
<br />
Below is the result of the Councillor Expense Budget Reduction vote, and which Councillors voted for and against the Reduction:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAnQo5U3D03RdhHC4jJL6o2MDoUnJ5KIrutErXoJeaPu6dAN4KDftT0iNjhE0T446n4Vc0-FJev6CMsg6FPKD_d-bW1-lBevnTb5VGBJbmNUpMQp71UQI1Zkw1ICriFCFeASnBhVnwkDD/s1600/TorontoCouncilBudgetReductionVoteResultDec162010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAnQo5U3D03RdhHC4jJL6o2MDoUnJ5KIrutErXoJeaPu6dAN4KDftT0iNjhE0T446n4Vc0-FJev6CMsg6FPKD_d-bW1-lBevnTb5VGBJbmNUpMQp71UQI1Zkw1ICriFCFeASnBhVnwkDD/s640/TorontoCouncilBudgetReductionVoteResultDec162010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
In case it is not clear enough to see in the video screen capture above, below are the Toronto City Councillors who voted NO to Reducing their Expense Budgets to a reasonable amount (a move that again is directly against the wishes of the Toronto Voters who in Majority elected Rob Ford as Mayor and his Mandate of Respect for the Tax Payer):<br />
<br />
1. Frank Di Giorgio<br />
2. John Filion<br />
3. Pam McConnell<br />
4. Ron Moeser<br />
5. Gord Perks<br />
<br />
Keep note of whether your City Councillor is voting in your best interest.<br />
<br />
And once again, thank goodness for Mayor Rob Ford!<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Pam McConnell and Gord Perks just got added to my list of the "Worst Toronto City Councillors", and join Paula Fletcher and Joe Mihevc. Watch for a focus on their voting records coming soon. <br />
<br />
PPS: By the way, those who voted for Adam Vaughan, you should know that he specifically said that his constituents voted for him on the mandate that he would raise/create new taxes. If that wasn't what you were looking for when you voted for that elitist scumbag, I suggest you contact him and let him know about it. And for those of you who are in disbelief at that statement, take a look at the video of the Council Meeting (via the link provided above at the beginning of this post) and see for yourself.<br />
<br />
Below is the contact information for all of the Toronto City Councillors who voted NO to the above-mentioned motions put forward by your Mayor Rob Ford:<br />
<br />
Councillor Janet Davis<br />
Ward 31 Beaches-East York<br />
Phone: 416-392-4035<br />
councillor_davis@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor Sarah Doucette<br />
Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park<br />
Phone: 416-392-4072<br />
councillor_doucette@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor Pam McConnell<br />
Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale<br />
Phone: 416-392-7916<br />
councillor_mcconnell@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor Joe Mihevc<br />
Ward 21 St. Paul's<br />
Phone: 416-392-0208<br />
councillor_mihevc@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor Gord Perks<br />
Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park<br />
Phone: 416-392-7919<br />
councillor_perks@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor Adam Vaughan<br />
Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina<br />
Phone: 416-392-4044<br />
councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor Frank Di Giorgio<br />
Ward 12 York South-Weston<br />
Phone: 416-392-4066<br />
councillor_digiorgio@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor John Filion<br />
Ward 23 Willowdale<br />
Phone: 416-392-0210<br />
councillor_filion@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
Councillor Ron Moeser<br />
Ward 44 Scarborough East<br />
Phone: 416-392-1373<br />
councillor_moeser@toronto.ca<br />
<br />
For the contact information of all Toronto City Councillors, please visit: <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp" target="_blank">Toronto.ca - Toronto City Councillors</a>.<br />
<br />
PPPS: Another funny thing that happened was Councillor Paula Fletcher talking about the harshness of the Personal Vehicle Tax, especially on Seniors. Meanwhile, if you look at her Voting Record, she voted for the Personal Vehicle Tax, she voted against exempting Seniors from the Tax, and she voted against consulting with the public on implementing the tax... Talk about one of Council's biggest hypocrites and liars... That's why she's on the list of "Worst Toronto City Councillors". :)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshots taken from Toronto City Council Video on Rogers TV online at <a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?sid=1030&rid=16&lid=12" target="_blank">http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?sid=1030&rid=16&lid=12</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-16127547335404607462010-12-10T11:34:00.000-05:002010-12-10T11:34:16.893-05:00Delusional Toronto City Councillor Joe Mihevc Transcends into Irrelevance...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS3zfY-lb0hS2_GH3eJeRnZZk5Qx46h_yNqia2qwqWudXiXmnPFo17SiotmpkEgcFv3gPtioNXKL0bCgZFX5nnMkd7GwV2QrmUXWzveDJPp72WL3zd_rAwALsaPXaV2j3yqnvP3GZUpsA/s1600/JoeMihevc_by_MariusFrederick_on_YouTube.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS3zfY-lb0hS2_GH3eJeRnZZk5Qx46h_yNqia2qwqWudXiXmnPFo17SiotmpkEgcFv3gPtioNXKL0bCgZFX5nnMkd7GwV2QrmUXWzveDJPp72WL3zd_rAwALsaPXaV2j3yqnvP3GZUpsA/s640/JoeMihevc_by_MariusFrederick_on_YouTube.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Joe Mihevc, one of the worst City Councillors Toronto has ever had, and a yes-man to David Miller -the worst Mayor Toronto has ever had- for some reason still spouts his rhetoric like anything he has to say still holds any kind of relevance in the new Toronto, where the Taxpayer is respected and the elitist has been tossed to the curb.<br />
<br />
Mihevc, who with his partner in crime, Adam Giambrone, completely destroyed whatever kind of usefulness the TTC had, turning it into the news headline-grabbing symbol for incompetence and waste that it is currently, shamelessly and hypocritically talks about the stopping of Transit City costing the taxpayers millions of dollars, all the while being one of Council's most wasteful spenders, costing taxpayers millions in disastrous projects like the St. Clair Right-of-way boondoggle. It's almost comical listening to Mihevc talk about fiscal prudence and about caring about the Toronto Taxpayers' pocket book.<br />
<br />
Mihevc had this to say when asked about Rob Ford's plan to end the war on the car and therefore put an end to David Miller's horrifying legacy of Transit City:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ttc/article/897006--new-ttc-fewer-politicians-more-private-citizens" target="_blank">New TTC: Fewer politicians, more private citizens</a><br />
<blockquote>Longtime transit commissioner Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul’s) said he hopes Ford thinks hard before he makes any decisions on projects like the Sheppard light rail transit (LRT) line, the first of the Transit City routes scheduled for completion.<br />
<br />
Ford campaigned on converting Sheppard to a subway that would run to the Scarborough Town Centre. But that would cost about $2.5 billion more than the $1.1 billion budgeted for Sheppard transit, according to TTC numbers.<br />
<br />
“Why would we throw away a bird in the hand when the bird in the bush could be a generation away?” Mihevc said.<br />
<br />
Now money is tighter, Mihevc said. The province, which is providing two-thirds of the Sheppard funding (one-third is coming from Ottawa) and 100 per cent of the funding of the three other Transit City lines, has already deferred half its spending commitment for those lines to the latter half of the coming decade.</blockquote><br />
Is Mihevc so completely out-of-touch with reality that he can't grasp the understanding that Toronto voted for Rob Ford and his mandate of destroying Transit City, ending the war on the car, and putting in subways instead of Streetcars & LRTs? THIS IS WHAT TORONTO WANTS!!! GET A GRIP ON REALITY, MIHEVC!!<br />
<br />
I mean, how did this scumbag even get re-elected in Ward 21? It doesn't even make sense... I guess it doesn't make sense in the exact same way that Paula Fletcher got re-elected... Thank goodness that criminal Sandra Bussin was finally trounced.<br />
<br />
Now I'm sure there will be those who idiotically support Joe Mihevc, and to them I pose this question: Did Joe Mihevc really look out for you when voting on your behalf, Ward 21? Well, if you were in favour of higher taxes, if you are anti-public consultation, and if you believe that Councillors should have all the perks in the world that they don't need, while you Torontonians are barely surviving, then I guess you are getting what you deserve.<br />
<br />
What? How can I make these outrageous accusations about Mihevc, you ask? Well, they aren't accusations, they are fact.<br />
<br />
I took the liberty of pulling together some of Mihevc's Toronto City Council Voting Record for your review. You see, regardless of who you are, you can't argue with fact:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielL0JbdG1HM7-96saW5ZGwCGoojHJ-cmsHFHzZhcIhvm5UFzL1cNEcolrEHE_DD3iW-nZbmGlE2xbR_ydVwGwxdPg9rE6vPBR9mxEn1H9OOD37o7KlAGR8Bya5WxiIDXYfqePjuZtse2x/s1600/JoeMihevcVotingRecord.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielL0JbdG1HM7-96saW5ZGwCGoojHJ-cmsHFHzZhcIhvm5UFzL1cNEcolrEHE_DD3iW-nZbmGlE2xbR_ydVwGwxdPg9rE6vPBR9mxEn1H9OOD37o7KlAGR8Bya5WxiIDXYfqePjuZtse2x/s1600/JoeMihevcVotingRecord.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Now that you have the facts, you can decide.<br />
<br />
And in the meantime, Mihevc, just go away. It's not even worth it for you to attend Council Meetings anymore. You and all of your <i>Leftist Pinko Comrades</i> might as well just bury your heads in the sand, and just pretend that the Taxpayers aren't back in control.<br />
<br />
Thank Goodness for Rob Ford.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: I know you like how I threw that "Leftist Pinko" stuff out there. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from YouTube Video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_1EVkNyTog&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_1EVkNyTog&feature=related</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MARIUSFrederick" target="_blank">MARIUSFrederick</a> <br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-28378821148936764162010-12-05T10:16:00.000-05:002010-12-05T10:16:23.719-05:00TTC Essential Service - Workers Strikes Cost More Than Arbitration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7xfF0vVfZSgXg7Sl4jO6fEcjmRjlssU0f_ba_CemZ_XB3i-kp_iXJdk2-rJt6p6td8pkVQJWSGDnCayGTT_AFOoB-ZTp_CeI_XbsoNj6cCajDGq-tlgfjqDdoIyNXIDtrXigqyXImtAa/s1600/TTCStrikeDavisvilleStationClosed_by_jbcurio_on_flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7xfF0vVfZSgXg7Sl4jO6fEcjmRjlssU0f_ba_CemZ_XB3i-kp_iXJdk2-rJt6p6td8pkVQJWSGDnCayGTT_AFOoB-ZTp_CeI_XbsoNj6cCajDGq-tlgfjqDdoIyNXIDtrXigqyXImtAa/s640/TTCStrikeDavisvilleStationClosed_by_jbcurio_on_flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Many people are questioning why a fiscally prudent Rob Ford would even consider making the TTC an Essential Service, when all that means is that an Arbitrator will get to make the decision on any conflicting issues, and Arbitrators always lean towards the favour of the workers and not the employers.<br />
<br />
Well, the answer is simple.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
When the TTC Union goes on strike, it costs Toronto $50 Million a day. And based on a study performed by the City of Toronto in 2005 after the last wildcat strike by the TTC Union, had the TTC been an Essential Service and went to Arbitration, it would have costed Toronto $11.6 Million total (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2010/12/03/16420026.html" target="_blank">TTC essential to Toronto: Editorial</a>)<br />
<br />
Ok, let me repeat that for you:<br />
<br />
$50 Million A DAY for a TTC Stike, versus $11.6 Million TOTAL!<br />
<br />
Plus, those scumbag TTC workers won't get to hold the City of Toronto hostage anymore!<br />
<br />
Sounds like a win-win to me.<br />
<br />
Mayor Rob Ford, wow, finally a Toronto Mayor that makes sense.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
SOURCE: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2010/12/03/16420026.html" target="_blank">TTC essential to Toronto: Editorial</a><br />
<blockquote>Without the TTC, Toronto is sunk.<br />
<br />
Our downtown can’t function, our disastrous traffic situation goes off the rails, people in the city can’t get to work, to medical appointments, and businesses seize up. For many, the Better Way is the only way.<br />
<br />
In 2005, an illegal 12-hour wildcat strike by a small group of transit workers killed all service in the city.<br />
<br />
Strikes cost the city about $50 million a day.<br />
<br />
So, if the TTC is such an essential service, why hasn’t it officially been declared as such?<br />
<br />
New Toronto Mayor Rob Ford campaigned on making the TTC essential. The issue is on the agenda for the first executive meeting this week at City Hall.<br />
<br />
The argument against essential service has often revolved around the designation not stopping illegal strikes, and around cost. <br />
<br />
Historically, you pay a price to take away a union’s right to strike. A city report said the 2005 TTC contract would have cost taxpayers an extra $11.2 million if it went straight to arbitration.</blockquote><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/2442592720/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/2442592720/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/" target="_blank">jbcurio</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-27290212201402190432010-11-08T14:19:00.000-05:002010-11-08T14:19:00.430-05:00LCBO Vintages Fine Wine Auction in Toronto from Nov 12-14 Information<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13TfjchkP1jwsqmj1uM1N_yuAn788W-gX7Tyv959TQw9A33yjvPcQM1Q2VFco-ZBKT-qUHUBwBVZesOOqG38Gv_EMeogdMPNXRoGP6hTqguED-9b3PKGTVNBEo0A3hDbdCp0V0U99Mt8m/s1600/FineWine_by_JoeShlabotnik_on_Flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13TfjchkP1jwsqmj1uM1N_yuAn788W-gX7Tyv959TQw9A33yjvPcQM1Q2VFco-ZBKT-qUHUBwBVZesOOqG38Gv_EMeogdMPNXRoGP6hTqguED-9b3PKGTVNBEo0A3hDbdCp0V0U99Mt8m/s640/FineWine_by_JoeShlabotnik_on_Flickr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
For all of you wine enthusiasts out there, the LCBO is introducing the Vintages Fine Wine Auction for 2010 held in Toronto from November 12th to the 14th at Waddington's Galleries at 111 Bathurst Street (full address details are noted below). The Auction can also be accessed online via Artfact.com (link noted below as well).<br />
<br />
Here's the story from newswire.ca:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2010/08/c9993.html" target="_blank">LCBO INTRODUCES LIVE ONLINE BIDDING AT VINTAGES FINE WINE AUCTION NOVEMBER 12-14</a><br />
<blockquote>TORONTO, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - The LCBO and Waddington's Auctioneers are inviting wine enthusiasts from around the world to bid live over the Internet during this year's Vintages Finest and Rarest Wines Auction being held November 12-14 at Waddington's Galleries in Toronto. <br />
<br />
"The addition of Internet bidding puts this annual auction on par with the world's best," according to Barry O'Brien, LCBO Corporate Affairs Director and a chief organizer of the auction. <br />
<br />
The Internet bidding is facilitated through web provider Artfact.com. Collectors can also bid in person at Waddington's Galleries at 111 Bathurst Street, in writing or by phone, fax or email. <br />
<br />
More than 2,300 lots of rare wines valued at $3.1 million will be up for bid at this year's auction. The selection will feature many first-time offerings, including top Burgundy vintages, such as Domaine Romanée-Conti, in 1,500 mL bottles, and highly-prized vintage Bordeaux in their original wood cases. There are also rare pre-World War II vintages and classic Champagnes. <br />
<br />
The Vintages auction features three bidding sessions, the first one starting at 6:00 p.m. on November 12 and running until bidding closes. On November 13 and 14, sessions will start at 10 a.m. and last until bidding closes.</blockquote><br />
Here are the Address Details for the Auction:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/12november2010/" target="_blank">Waddington’s Auction House - LCBO Vintages Fine Wine Auction 2010</a><br />
111 Bathurst Street<br />
Toronto, ON<br />
Canada<br />
M5V 2R1<br />
Phone: +1 416 504 5100<br />
Fax: +1 416 504 0033<br />
Email: info@waddingtons.ca <br />
<br />
FIRST SESSION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2010 AT 6 PM<br />
SECOND SESSION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010 AT 10 AM<br />
THIRD SESSION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2010 AT 10 AM<br />
<br />
Vintages Website with Auction and Pre-Auction Gala Details: <a href="http://www.vintages.com/events/auction.shtml?utm_source=eventReleasePromo&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=Auction" target="_blank">http://www.vintages.com/events/auction.shtml?utm_source=eventReleasePromo&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=Auction</a><br />
<br />
Auction Catalog from Waddington's (hosted on Artfact.com): <br />
<a href="http://www.artfact.com/catalog/searchLots.cfm?scp=c&catalogRef=PBTFXNV675" target="_blank">LCBO Vintages Auction - Session 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.artfact.com/catalog/searchLots.cfm?scp=c&catalogRef=QCHYCMMGGJ" target="_blank">LCBO Vintages Auction - Session 2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.artfact.com/catalog/searchLots.cfm?scp=c&catalogRef=M0L6B4DR9D" target="_blank">LCBO Vintages Auction - Session 3</a><br />
<br />
Vintages 2010 Auction Catalogue (PDF Link): <a href="http://www.vintages.com/events/auction_pdf.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.vintages.com/events/auction_pdf.shtml</a><br />
<br />
Registration for Online Bidding at Artfact.com Link: <a href="https://secure.artfact.com/signin/signin.cfm?rfa=true&catalogRef=PBTFXNV675&lotRef" target="_blank">https://secure.artfact.com/signin/signin.cfm?rfa=true&catalogRef=PBTFXNV675&lotRef</a><br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/2294658165/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/2294658165/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/" target="_blank">Joe Shlabotnik</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-81811236738655603242010-11-01T12:26:00.001-04:002010-11-01T12:26:54.772-04:00Alcohol Tops List of Drugs Which Cause The Most Overall Harm...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFzXfIw7fK-iKsHinMWzcafixh8kM7OUTQ2af1NhLDxEkxfI3XmFgV7Tv6eIp__wWSXX3GM2QZTKR-zIS428nZ-PafA4lGjI5tIahuyrw_oZgi50aqqHOfv55I5G2Ivvgv202E79DtWIC/s1600/DrugsAndAlcohol_by_twak_on_flickr_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFzXfIw7fK-iKsHinMWzcafixh8kM7OUTQ2af1NhLDxEkxfI3XmFgV7Tv6eIp__wWSXX3GM2QZTKR-zIS428nZ-PafA4lGjI5tIahuyrw_oZgi50aqqHOfv55I5G2Ivvgv202E79DtWIC/s640/DrugsAndAlcohol_by_twak_on_flickr_a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Believe it or not, but Alcohol hit #1 on the list of Drugs which cause the Most Harm Overall to users and to society, significantly beating out heroin and crack which came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.healthzone.ca/health/mindmood/mentalhealth/article/883870--why-study-says-alcohol-more-dangerous-than-heroin-cocaine?bn=1" target="_blank">Why study says alcohol more dangerous than heroin, cocaine</a><br />
<blockquote>The former U.K. drug czar has published a study damning alcohol as a more dangerous drug than heroin or crack cocaine and urged governments to radically readjust their targets in the fight on narcotics.<br />
<br />
Prof. David Nutt, head of the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs, published his comparison in the medical journal, Lancet.<br />
<br />
Nutt’s study weighs the danger of a drug based on a 16-point checklist – nine factors relating to harm to the user, and seven more measuring harm to others. Effects measured range from death to loss of mental functioning to crime to failed relationships.<br />
<br />
The checklist produces a score out of 100 – the higher the score, the greater the danger.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Nutt’s List of Drugs That Cause the Most Overall Harm</b></u><br />
<br />
1. Alcohol (72)<br />
2. Heroin (55)<br />
3. Crack (54)<br />
4. Crystal Meth (33)<br />
5. Cocaine (27)<br />
6. Tobacco (26)<br />
7. Amphetamines (Speed) – (23)<br />
8. Cannabis (20)<br />
9. GHB (18)<br />
10. Benzodiazapines (15)<br />
11. Ketamine (15)<br />
12. Methadone (13)<br />
13. Butane (10)<br />
14. Qat (9)<br />
15. Ecstasy (9)</blockquote>Pretty interesting eh...<br />
<br />
Here's a link to the actual study on The Lancet (please note that you have to register on The Lancet -it's free- in order to view the study): <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2810%2961462-6/fulltext" target="_blank">Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis</a>.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/twak/4140510605/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/twak/4140510605/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/twak/" target="_blank">twak</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-2517816710888552632010-10-25T20:27:00.002-04:002010-10-25T23:01:38.450-04:00Congratulations Toronto!! Rob Ford is Your New Mayor!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvyNl_AvdF_vGIsSXDk_YdAgcxe6IwKrceRz0fL-LtgKPkcHgXcQxqVIay3LaXsiq9kDhyBhVu9FbDNUPZQgP8skxxlJ0YAUkklAumuo5AWXLT5wSa3UtLxXmeelbseMUPei9N0P81v5O/s1600/RobFordTransportationPlan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvyNl_AvdF_vGIsSXDk_YdAgcxe6IwKrceRz0fL-LtgKPkcHgXcQxqVIay3LaXsiq9kDhyBhVu9FbDNUPZQgP8skxxlJ0YAUkklAumuo5AWXLT5wSa3UtLxXmeelbseMUPei9N0P81v5O/s640/RobFordTransportationPlan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Rob Ford has won the 2010 Toronto Mayoral Election!! <br />
<br />
Congrats Rob! We knew you would do it! We are all so happy for you, and for Toronto!!<br />
<br />
With the Polls at 99% complete, here are the results:<br />
<br />
Rob Ford 379,755<br />
George Smitherman 286,777<br />
Joe Pantalone 94,634<br />
<br />
Other notable winners tonight were Doug Ford (Rob Ford's brother) in Ward 2, Mary-Margaret McMahon over Sandra Bussin in Ward 32, and unfortunately Paula Fletcher was re-elected in Ward 30 over Liz West by an extremely small margin (we'll get you next time Paula, next time!!).<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Screenshot taken from YouTube video above at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfsIj6gYAw&feature=player_embedded#%21" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfsIj6gYAw&feature=player_embedded#!</a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</span></i>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-22961061245279294822010-10-23T12:54:00.000-04:002010-10-23T12:54:51.668-04:00George Smitherman Caused Ontario's Skyrocketing Electricity Rates...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGN4Jpmaj-dVMiQt_65d7cqyL7YYbsan2Sxq0siS0eBiuKsNTXDLZfK3d_J5H-rey6oyu-zJOFtDWV0SgmGdeMo2vtZmAFFp-HKib6Eh8_8paer9Zqxx_mjgQZxOvK3wfnIZh5_6eOFHy/s1600/Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="610" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGN4Jpmaj-dVMiQt_65d7cqyL7YYbsan2Sxq0siS0eBiuKsNTXDLZfK3d_J5H-rey6oyu-zJOFtDWV0SgmGdeMo2vtZmAFFp-HKib6Eh8_8paer9Zqxx_mjgQZxOvK3wfnIZh5_6eOFHy/s640/Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you're in shock-and-awe at the way your electricity rates have been skyrocketing, you have one Toronto Mayoral Candidate to thank for that, and that's former Ontario Minister of Health and Energy, and not to mention Deputy Premier under Dalton McGuinty, Frivolous George Smitherman.<br />
<br />
Apparently, because of George Smitherman's leadership as the Provincial Minister of Energy, we can all look forward to our Electricity Rates Doubling in 5 years based on current estimates.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the National Post:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/10/23/terence-corcoran-smitherman-is-a-left-wing-trojan-horse/" target="_blank">Smitherman is a left-wing Trojan horse</a><br />
<blockquote>Looking at Mr. Smitherman’s record and his policy agenda, it’s hard to find ideas that reflect anything that promise conservative change or any change at all. On the contrary, the man’s record betrays him is a Trojan Horse for green, unionized leftism, big government and non-stop spending. <br />
<br />
Mr. Smitherman is the union choice. He has had union backing since last January, when the Carpenters District Council of Ontario jumped aboard. The carpenters know that Mr. Smitherman has no plans to change Toronto’s maniacal adherence to provincial labour rules that force the city to use only unionized workers. If city hall needs to move a two-by-four from point A to point B, only union contractors can be called. Mr. Ford promised to press for changes to the law, which burdens the city’s budget with hundreds of millions of dollars in excess labour costs. At a National Post editorial board meeting during the campaign, Mr. Smitherman said he had no plans to change city union rules and claimed not to know about the provincial law — this from the former deputy premier of the province.<br />
<br />
Union backing for Mr. Smitherman keeps growing: The Central Ontario Building Trades Council, the hotel workers, the International Union of Operating Engineers.<br />
<br />
<b>The green movement, bearing truckloads of regulatory fantasies, already has Mr. Smitherman in its pocket. As provincial energy minister, he marched in step with every environmentalist scheme, overriding existing electricity plans and issuing directives to force wind and solar power on consumers, bring in feed-in tariffs, orchestrating deals with Korean corporations and unleashing a torrent of electricity system spending that estimates show will double the price of electricity to all Torontonians within five years.</b><br />
<br />
Never mind Mr. Smitherman’s role in the provincial ehealth scandal — for which he bears more responsibility than he claims — he will go down in history as the architect of Ontario’s green energy boondoggle.<br />
<br />
And what was he doing in the Cabinet and as deputy premier of a provincial government that is the biggest nanny state in the country and soon to be a financial basket case? His answer: I wasn’t there, didn’t have much of a role, not on my watch, somebody else was the minister, I believe in sound fiscal management — so long as it’s green, unionized, expensive, socially progressive and providing the fiscal management isn’t too much trouble.<br />
<br />
Based on his record, a vote for George Smitherman is a vote for more of what Toronto already has too much.</blockquote><br />
Make sure you get out there and Vote Toronto! And also, beware of the spin being pushed out there by the likes of the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg" target="_blank">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mayor_Smitherman_Giving_Out_Leis_at_Toronto_Pride_2010_Parade.jpg</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Skeezix1000" target="_blank">Skeezix1000</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-4496250909697695912010-10-22T17:02:00.002-04:002010-10-23T00:44:30.652-04:00Rob Ford Retakes Lead in Toronto Mayoral Poll Headed into Final Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxqVyUwtQNMBiAiy59ZRhT62JGAdPMLFz-PYPrUeTiNr0jUTiDysWJ_BYsh_JwITIBeUGIN-R-dpbLDH4ZjCrIJwft-Bzj98dMH8-ci2bg6K-SLeYzAOb7RUFEgvizJ9Y1_nKZLGuGgB8/s1600/RobFordTeam_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxqVyUwtQNMBiAiy59ZRhT62JGAdPMLFz-PYPrUeTiNr0jUTiDysWJ_BYsh_JwITIBeUGIN-R-dpbLDH4ZjCrIJwft-Bzj98dMH8-ci2bg6K-SLeYzAOb7RUFEgvizJ9Y1_nKZLGuGgB8/s640/RobFordTeam_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The latest Toronto Mayoralty Poll taken during the week of October 13th through until October 21st shows Rob Ford retaking the lead headed into the final weekend before the 2010 Election.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Globe and Mail (<i>it must have killed the Globe to have to release this one!</i>):<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/rob-ford-pulls-ahead-gaining-ground-with-immigrants-poll-shows/article1769376/" target="_blank">Rob Ford pulls ahead, gaining ground with immigrants, poll shows</a><br />
<blockquote>A new poll in the final days of the campaign shows Rob Ford pulling ahead in the mayoral race – and gaining among the city’s immigrant communities.<br />
<br />
A survey of 500 Torontonians over a week shows 43.9 per cent would vote for Rob Ford, compared with 35.6 for George Smitherman and 15 per cent for Joe Pantalone.<br />
<br />
The poll seems to indicate the Etobicoke councillor is gaining ground after being locked in a tie with the deputy premier for the past couple of weeks – multiple polls taken recently show the two candidates polling within the margin of error as each tries to out-campaign the other.<br />
<br />
The poll also indicates Mr. Ford is gaining traction with the city’s immigrants: 51.7 per cent of those polled born outside Canada say they plan to vote for Mr. Ford, compared with 30.1 per cent who plan to vote for Mr. Smitherman and 11.1 per cent who support Mr. Pantalone.<br />
<br />
The poll indicates Mr. Ford, who had lost much of his lead since polling 24 points ahead of Mr. Smitherman in September, has momentum going into the final weekend. While his campaign has been keeping a relatively low profile from a policy front, they’ve hammered at Mr. Smitherman’s decision not to release his list of donors prior to the election and on his political record – especially as health minister, using a new auditor’s report of money spent in the province’s health ministry to question is record of fiscal responsibility.<br />
<br />
The poll, conducted between Oct. 13 and 21, is accurate within 4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.</blockquote><br />
Also, in case you're interested, here are a couple of other stories that came out headed into the weekend that are definitely worth a read:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontovotes2010/2010/10/22/15792486.html" target="_blank">Ford slams Smitherman over donor list</a><br />
<blockquote>Rob Ford is asking rival George Smitherman to show him the campaign money.<br />
<br />
The mayoral candidate issued a statement Friday slamming Smitherman for not revealing his donor list before Toronto residents go to the polls on Monday.<br />
<br />
Ford and Joe Pantalone have both released their donor lists but under the election rules can still raise cash right up to the end of the year.<br />
<br />
"The voters deserve to know where the money is coming from," Ford said in a campaign statement. "Every major candidate since 2003 has done this willingly, but with (Smitherman) refusing to release his donors' lists, it's clear we need new rules to improve transparency and accountability. <br />
<br />
"It raises the question, what is George Smitherman hiding?"<br />
<br />
Ford went on to question if Smitherman was receiving cash from his "friends at the Courtyard Group paying back some favours for all those sole-sourced contracts?"<br />
<br />
"We don't know," Ford concluded. "George won't tell us."<br />
<br />
The Ford campaign also launched a website late Thursday called <a href="http://badanswer.ca" target="_blank">badanswer.ca</a>.<br />
<br />
Ford spokesman Fraser MacDonald said the site is aimed at "putting the fire to Mr. Smtiherman's feet."<br />
<br />
The website features a YouTube clip of Ford confronting Smitherman at a debate about eHealth and sole-sourced contracts. The site also links to several news articles.<br />
<br />
"He's got some difficult questions to answer," he said. "We are telling voters to take a look and look at the facts and decide for themselves whether they can trust someone who has handed out sole-source contracts to his buddies.<br />
<br />
"I think it further underscores the need for him to release his donor's list."</blockquote><br />
If you have a few mins, I would recommend checking out the website <a href="http://badanswer.ca" target="_blank">badanswer.ca</a>. There are links to various news stories (including from the Toronto Star) which prove that Smitherman did indeed give sole-sourced deals via eHealth to his friends and connections. Also, it has detailed excel spreadsheets outlining which of his friends he gave deals to, how much they were for, and etc. Definitely a good read if you are planning to vote for Smitherman, or if you are still undecided.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2010/10/21/15782996.html" target="_blank">YWCA rips Ford but doesn't reveal leader a Smitherman backer</a><br />
<blockquote>Officials of YWCA Toronto — in their letter released Tuesday — suggested mayoralty candidate Rob Ford is not someone with vision or compassion. <br />
<br />
They also implied he engaged in the “predictable poor-bashing, stereotyping and NIMBYism” in his opposition to their 68-unit affordable housing complex — on Bergamot Ave. — approved for his ward in 2005.<br />
<br />
Then, not to miss an opportunity to grab the spotlight, George Smitherman’s new best friend, Sarah Thomson, held court later that day to claim the YWCA experience just proves Toronto women “should think” about the kind of city Rob Ford would lead.<br />
<br />
<u><b>But no one — not Thomson, not the top officials at the YWCA — bothered to mention the board president’s ties with the George Smitherman campaign.</b></u><br />
<br />
Dr. Kristin Blakely-Kozman (a PhD) is a member of the Women for George. <br />
<br />
An Oct. 14 statement on Smitherman’s website has Blakely-Kozman 160th on the list of 287 women who have signed on to the Smitherman campaign saying they believe “George is a leader that will build on Toronto’s strengths, instead of recklessly cutting the city down.”<br />
<br />
Selective oversight? Conflict of interest? Hmmm.<br />
</blockquote><br />
Stay informed Toronto...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661579273/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661579273/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-32516938554456511922010-09-20T14:21:00.001-04:002010-09-20T14:24:58.804-04:00Rob Ford Takes 45.8% of Latest Poll for Next Mayor of Toronto!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvyNl_AvdF_vGIsSXDk_YdAgcxe6IwKrceRz0fL-LtgKPkcHgXcQxqVIay3LaXsiq9kDhyBhVu9FbDNUPZQgP8skxxlJ0YAUkklAumuo5AWXLT5wSa3UtLxXmeelbseMUPei9N0P81v5O/s1600/RobFordTransportationPlan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvyNl_AvdF_vGIsSXDk_YdAgcxe6IwKrceRz0fL-LtgKPkcHgXcQxqVIay3LaXsiq9kDhyBhVu9FbDNUPZQgP8skxxlJ0YAUkklAumuo5AWXLT5wSa3UtLxXmeelbseMUPei9N0P81v5O/s640/RobFordTransportationPlan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Wow, Rob Ford is now only footsteps away from becoming the next Mayor of Toronto, and it seems that no matter what propaganda the Toronto Star, that moron Marcus Gee from the Globe and Mail, or any other self-serving shameful news organization tries to push onto Torontonians to persuade us against voting for Rob Ford, we are not interested.<br />
<br />
Toronto has spoken, and we want a new Mayor, a new City Council, and a completely new approach and philosophy in Toronto Politics. And that all begins and ends with Rob Ford!<br />
<br />
The latest poll by Nanos Research just came out, and it puts Rob Ford in 1st place, far, far, far ahead of all of the other candidates, including George Smitherman, who is now over 24 points behind Rob Ford. <br />
<br />
Here are the details from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100919/100919_nanos_poll_election/20100920/?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">Ford takes commanding lead in mayor's race: CP24 poll</a><br />
<blockquote>Rob Ford has surged ahead of the pack with a commanding lead over his rivals in the Toronto mayoralty race.<br />
<br />
The latest Nanos poll, commissioned by CP24, CTV and the Globe and Mail, puts Ford in the lead with 45.8 per cent of decided voters –- 24 points ahead of his biggest rival George Smitherman.<br />
<br />
"We're just being very, very humble," Ford said upon hearing the results. "I'm working very hard."<br />
<br />
Smitherman, who served as deputy premier before stepping down from provincial politics earlier this year, has 21.3 per cent of support from decided voters.<br />
<br />
Toronto's deputy mayor Joe Pantalone made significant strides since the last CP24 poll in June. He now has 16.8 per cent of support from decided voters. Rocco Rossi (9.7%) and Sarah Thomson (6.4 per cent) round up the pack of front-runners. <br />
<br />
A total of 1,021 people were polled through random telephone interviews between Sept. 14 and 16. The margin of accuracy for a random sample of 1,021 likely voters is 3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.</blockquote><br />
So, to summarize:<br />
<br />
<b>CP24/CTV/Globe & Mail - Nanos Research Poll - Conducted from Sept 14-16</b><br />
<br />
Rob Ford: 45.8%<br />
George Smitherman: 21.3%<br />
Joe Pantalone: 16.8%<br />
Rocco Rossi: 9.7%<br />
Sarah Thomson: 6.4%<br />
Undecided: 25%<br />
Margin of Error: 3.1% (Correct 19 times out of 20)<br />
<br />
Other Polls Included:<br />
<br />
<b>Which Candidate is the most Competent? </b><br />
<br />
Rob Ford: 29.6%<br />
George Smitherman: 16.1%<br />
Joe Pantalone: 11.9%<br />
Rocco Rossi: 8.3%<br />
Sarah Thomson: 4%<br />
Undecided: 30.2%<br />
<br />
<b>Which Political Party do you usually align yourselves with during Provincial and Federal Elections?</b><br />
<br />
Liberal: 29.5%<br />
Conservative: 21.9%<br />
NDP: 9.4%<br />
Green Party: 3.5%<br />
<br />
<i>(Even the Liberals are planning to vote for Ford!! Watch out Dalton McGuinty, like George Smitherman, you're going to be tossed in the trash come next November!!)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Which Municipal Issue do you think is the Most Important?</b><br />
<br />
Transportation: 19.3%<br />
Taxes/Property Taxes: 17.4%<br />
City Budget/Deficit: 15.7%<br />
Jobs/Economy: 8.9%<br />
Mayor/Mayoral Race: 4.4%<br />
<br />
<i>(If you ask me, Taxes and City Budget really should be together, and should have a total of 33.1% overall, far above Transportation... But that's just me..)</i><br />
<br />
Lastly, the final issue that was asked of Torontonians via the Poll was:<br />
<br />
<b>Toronto would benefit from welcoming more new Canadians to the city.</b><br />
<br />
Agree: 44.7%<br />
Somewhat Agree: 18.7%<br />
Somewhat Disagree: 5.8%<br />
Disagree: 26.2%<br />
Unsure: 4.6%<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime <br />
<br />
<br />
PS: Oh Toronto Star... What are you going to do now? You lied and pushed your propaganda onto Torontonians to try and manipulate us into not voting for Rob Ford, and as a result, <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/20/15091791.html" target="_blank">Ford has cut you off completely</a> from any kind of interviews and etc. going forward. Now what are you going to do when he becomes the next Mayor of Toronto?? What kind of relevant newspaper can't get an interview with the Mayor of their own city??!! Ha ha ha!! That's what you get for having absolutely no journalistic integrity in regards to this Toronto Mayoral Race... I mean, you even went and <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/08/17/computer-inside-toronto-star-company-edited-rob-fords-wikipedia-entry/#ixzz0wtENyrKc" target="_blank">modified his Wikipedia Bio to try and manipulate this Mayoral Race</a>... You made your bed, now you can lay in it with George Smitherman... ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Screenshot taken from YouTube video above at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfsIj6gYAw&feature=player_embedded#%21" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfsIj6gYAw&feature=player_embedded#!</a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</span></i>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-16369170765784405122010-09-15T11:47:00.001-04:002010-09-15T11:47:39.099-04:00Why TTC Streetcars in Toronto Are NOT The Better Way...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1PxJ-eZ5_WRZEXO59zWaWGBLBy27JyKBmIehYn1Vau59SNRmlh0AWg4PYXXITLAWgbY_ayzpPXxy10rcA3U47t6td2SY6eJIXyHNhQWsc2dAFdPTBdRs4RC5yaKSVhwFn6dJ39ZYP2Ie/s1600/TTCStreetcar_CommodoreGandalfCunningham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1PxJ-eZ5_WRZEXO59zWaWGBLBy27JyKBmIehYn1Vau59SNRmlh0AWg4PYXXITLAWgbY_ayzpPXxy10rcA3U47t6td2SY6eJIXyHNhQWsc2dAFdPTBdRs4RC5yaKSVhwFn6dJ39ZYP2Ie/s640/TTCStreetcar_CommodoreGandalfCunningham.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There's been a lot of debate recently about the value of Streetcars versus Buses in Toronto, and being an anti-streetcar person myself, I felt it would be of use to outline some of the disadvantages of Streetcars, just so Torontonians won't get caught up in the false-hype being raised by the pro-streetcar advocates:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetcar#Pros_and_cons_of_Streetcar_systems" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Streetcars (TRAM)</a><br />
<blockquote><b>Disadvantages of Streetcars versus Buses</b><br />
<br />
* Streetcar infrastructure (such as island platforms) occupies urban space at ground-level, sometimes to the exclusion of other users, including cars.<br />
<br />
* The capital cost is higher than for buses.<br />
<br />
* Streetcars can cause speed reduction for other transport modes (buses, cars) when stops in the middle of the road do not have pedestrian refuges, as in such configurations other traffic cannot pass whilst passengers alight or board the Streetcar.<br />
<br />
* When operated in mixed traffic, Streetcars are more likely to be delayed by disruptions in their lane. Buses, by contrast, can sometimes maneuver around obstacles.<br />
<br />
* Streetcar tracks can be hazardous for cyclists, as bikes, particularly those with narrow tires, may get their wheels caught in the track grooves. <br />
<br />
* Steel wheel Streetcars are noisier than rubber-wheeled buses or trolleybuses when cornering if there are no additional measures taken (e.g. greasing wheel flanges, which is standard in new-built systems). Streetcar wheels are fixed onto axles so they have to rotate together, but going around curves, one wheel or the other has to slip, and that causes loud unpleasant squeals. <br />
<br />
* Light rail vehicles are often heavier per passenger carried than heavy rail and monorail cars, as they are designed with higher durability (which means more mass) to survive collisions, since they cannot swerve to avoid oncoming objects in emergencies.<br />
<br />
* The opening of new Streetcar and light rail systems has sometimes been accompanied by a marked increase in car accidents, as a result of drivers' unfamiliarity with the physics and geometry of Streetcars.<br />
<br />
* Rail transport can expose neighbouring populations to moderate levels of low-frequency noise. <br />
<br />
* In the event of a breakdown or accident, or even roadworks and maintenance, a whole section of the Streetcar network can be blocked. Buses and trolleybuses can often get past minor blockages, although trolleybuses are restricted by how far they can go from the wires. Conventional buses can divert around major blockages as well, as can most modern trolleybuses that are fitted with auxiliary engines or traction batteries.</blockquote><br />
At the end of the day, we would all be better served by having Buses as opposed to streetcars. Sure the streetcars look nice and remind us of the 1800s, but this is reality, and streetcars are causing havoc on our roads. Just take a look at King Street during rush hour, and then tell me that streetcars don't cause traffic gridlock.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Diamond lanes / HOV lanes need to go as well... Definitely one of the most idiotic ideas ever developed... I mean, removing traffic lanes to help ease traffic congestion???? But that's a topic for another post..<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gandalfcunningham/3633794255/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/gandalfcunningham/3633794255/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gandalfcunningham/" target="_blank">Commodore Gandalf Cunningham</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-81707123212194631642010-09-12T20:46:00.003-04:002010-09-13T00:00:09.119-04:002010 Fall REALITY TV Show Premier Dates, Trailers & Websites...<i>PLEASE NOTE: This page may take a few minutes to load (depending on the speed of your internet connection), as there are many embedded YouTube videos of <u><b>Reality</b></u> TV Show previews, trailers and video clips on this page.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth_m9AaEw4DNXWQXGC-666ujbsRhb3hAUE1JP1zLzITdQLx10M-vVVravvgARB5xAAZ83JT0ZZ-QClfA7zh3Zy853a5Irsw56IXhyb97vvBK_15xjNMT0xzvtnXuecnO9lBSvppwQ-3BP/s1600/TVs_by_wsilver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth_m9AaEw4DNXWQXGC-666ujbsRhb3hAUE1JP1zLzITdQLx10M-vVVravvgARB5xAAZ83JT0ZZ-QClfA7zh3Zy853a5Irsw56IXhyb97vvBK_15xjNMT0xzvtnXuecnO9lBSvppwQ-3BP/s640/TVs_by_wsilver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you're a huge TV fan like me, then I'm sure you can appreciate the struggle in trying to keep track of when all of your favorite TV Shows (and new TV Shows) are going to be starting again, or premiering for the first time this Fall Season.<br />
<br />
Well, I found a great article in the Toronto Sun where they gave a summary of the majority of the Fall 2010 TV Show Premier Dates. I took it a couple steps further and pulled together summaries for each of the shows, their Official Websites, and also the Trailers that I found kicking around on YouTube and etc. (and when the trailers weren't available, I grabbed video from previous seasons and etc.).<br />
<br />
Please note that I pulled together the summaries of each of the TV Shows from either <a href="http://www.imdb.com/" target="_blank">IMDb</a>, <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, or the actual TV Show's Official Website (see links below).<br />
<br />
I tried to include all of the Comedy, Drama and Reality TV details on one post, but the time it took to load was just insane. So I decided to break them down by their Genres into separate posts instead. This post focuses on the <u><b>Reality</b></u> TV Shows for this fall. Please see the following pages for the <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-comedy-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Comedy TV Shows</a> and the <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-drama-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Drama TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
Firstly, here's the article from the Toronto Sun where I found the list of shows, and their Fall TV Debut Dates:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/tv/2010/09/10/15306521.html" target="_blank">The fall TV preview</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>REALITY FALL TV DEBUT DATES</b></u><br />
<br />
(Dates always subject to change by the networks)<br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 15: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/" target="_blank">Survivor (CBS, Global)</a><br />
<br />
Survivor: Nicaragua will be the twenty-first season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor. The 20 contestants will be divided up into two tribes based on their ages. The Espada tribe will feature contestants over the age of 40, and the La Flor tribe will include contestants aged 30 years and younger.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v7HubA-Kj_E?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v7HubA-Kj_E?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 16: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/the-celebrity-apprentice/" target="_blank">The Apprentice (NBC, Global)</a><br />
<br />
The Apprentice is an American reality television show hosted by real estate magnate, businessman and television personality, Donald Trump, created by Mark Burnett and broadcast on NBC. Billed as "The Ultimate Job Interview", the show stars sixteen to eighteen business people competing in an elimination-style competition for a one-year, $250,000 starting contract of running one of business magnate Trump's companies.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-bavewI1QW8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-bavewI1QW8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 20: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancing" target="_blank">Dancing with the Stars (ABC, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Dancing with the Stars is a reality show airing on ABC in the United States. Every season, celebrities and professional dancers are paired up. Celebrities have included race-car drivers, Olympic athletes, football players, supermodels, actors, singers, astronauts, and teen-heartthrobs. Each couple will perform Ballroom or Latin dances and compete with the others for judges points and audience votes. Whichever couple receives the lowest total amount of judges points and audience votes is eliminated until a champion is named.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NB_rRFohWjE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NB_rRFohWjE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 21: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/" target="_blank">The Biggest Loser (NBC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
The Biggest Loser is an American reality game show that debuted on NBC October 19, 2004. The basic premise of the show is that obese people become contestants who are competing to win $250,000 (originally $100,000) by losing the highest percentage of weight (originally, the winner was to lose the highest amount of weight in pure numbers, but this was later - beginning with Season 1, Episode 7 - changed to the highest percentage of weight in order to evenly rebalance the playing field).<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZsqtqwiVbcY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZsqtqwiVbcY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 22: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/" target="_blank">Hell's Kitchen (Fox)</a><br />
<br />
Hell's Kitchen is an American reality-television cooking competition (based on a series of the same name, broadcast in the UK) broadcast on FOX. It is hosted by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDLzUnXcFmo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDLzUnXcFmo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/" target="_blank">Dragons' Den (CBC)</a><br />
<br />
Dragons' Den is a series of reality television programmes featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas in order to secure investment finance from a panel of venture capitalists.The contestants are usually product designers or service operators who have what they consider to be a viable and potentially very profitable business idea, but who lack funding and direction. They pitch their idea to five rich entrepreneurial businesspeople, the eponymous "dragons". They have, before the show, named an amount of money that they wish to get, and the rules stipulate that if they do not raise at least this amount from the dragons, they get nothing. In return, the contestant gives the dragons a percentage of the company's stock, which is the chief point of negotiation.Once the contestant has made their presentation, the dragons then probe the idea further, often revealing an embarrassing lack of preparation on the part of the contestants or uncovering troubling facts, and consequently rejecting the investment, or revealing a sound business proposition and offering to invest capital in return for equity.<br />
<br />
Trailer (Series Premier):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vZr04QUEhM8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vZr04QUEhM8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 24: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/school-pride/" target="_blank">School Pride (NBC)</a><br />
<br />
From executive producers Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Denise Cramsey ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "True Beauty"), School Pride is a proactive, alternative series that tells the stories of communities coming together to renovate their aging and broken public schools. While transforming the school, the community also restores its sense of value and school pride.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yA3Uu2r-JZE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yA3Uu2r-JZE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 26: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race/" target="_blank">The Amazing Race (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
The Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams. Contestants strive to arrive first at "pit stops" at the end of each leg of the race to win prizes and to avoid coming last, which carries the possibility of elimination or a significant disadvantage in the following leg. Contestants travel to and within multiple countries in a variety of transportation modes, including planes, balloons, helicopters, trucks, bicycles, taxis, rental cars, trains, buses, boats, and by foot. The clues in each leg lead the teams to the next destination or direct them to perform a task, either together or by a single member. These challenges are related in some manner to the country or culture where they are located. Teams are progressively eliminated until three are left; at that point, the team that arrives first in the final leg is awarded a grand prize of $1 million.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/icEiCW2WSfk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/icEiCW2WSfk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss" target="_blank">Undercover Boss (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Undercover Boss is a television franchise series that has been released in multiple countries. It is originally based on the 2009 British Channel 4 series of the same name.<br />
<br />
The show’s format is based on a senior executive of a company working undercover in their own firm to investigate how the company really works and identify how it can be improved, as well as rewarding the hard working staff.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pqjC7v94cCU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pqjC7v94cCU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition" target="_blank">Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EM:HE), often incorrectly referred to as Extreme Home Makeover, is a reality television series providing home renovations for less-fortunate families, hosted by Ty Pennington.Each episode features a family that has faced some sort of recent or ongoing hardship – such as a natural disaster or a family member with a life-threatening illness. The show's producers coordinate with a local construction contractor, which then coordinates with various companies in the building trades for a makeover of the family's home. That includes interior, exterior and landscaping, which is performed in seven days while the family is on vacation (paid for by the show's producers), which is documented in the episode. If the house is beyond repair, they replace it entirely. The show's producers and crew film set and perform the makeover but do not pay for it. The materials and labor are donated. Many skilled and unskilled volunteers assist in the rapid construction of the house.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ucse-qhSHd0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ucse-qhSHd0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/battle/" target="_blank">Battle of the Blades (CBC)</a><br />
<br />
Battle of the Blades is a Canadian figure skating reality show and competition that airs on CBC Television. It is broadcast with a live audience at the historic Maple Leaf Gardens. With Maple Leaf Gardens under renovation however, the show will be filmed elsewhere in season 2.CBC has renewed the series for a second season, with former NHL stars Theo Fleury and Russ Courtnall competing.<br />
<br />
Trailer (Series Premier):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/olbVK8CxcvI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/olbVK8CxcvI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CBgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fdebbietravis%2F&rct=j&q=%22All%20For%20One%20with%20Debbie%20Travis%22&ei=tzyNTMn1HNX-ngeetL2_DA&usg=AFQjCNFpihxuQ-tsg7B4xOs36ViobpgKwQ&cad=rja" target="_blank">All For One with Debbie Travis (CBC).</a><br />
<br />
'All For One with Debbie Travis' is a new, inspiring hour-long prime-time reality series that has Canada's beloved home renovating icon and best-selling author traveling across the country attempting to bring communities together to complete ambitious, modern-day 'barn raisings'.<br />
<br />
In each episode, Debbie Travis visits a different Canadian town or city where she surprises the locals with plans for a stunning home construction project as a reward for an unsuspecting community hero. What the community doesn't know - is that Debbie is on her own. She has the plans, the supplies and the know-how but there is no big team of professionals to do the job - volunteers have to step in, step up and come together to do the work themselves ...and they have only 5 days to do it!<br />
<br />
Video Clip of Debbie Travis on The Dragon's Den (No Trailer for the show was available):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sBsPH8MqJig?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sBsPH8MqJig?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 1: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.aetv.com/teach-tony-danza/index.jsp" target="_blank">Teach: Tony Danza (A&E).</a><br />
<br />
Long before his iconic acting career, which includes roles in “Taxi” and “Who’s The Boss,” Tony Danza received a degree in History Education. During the 2009-2010 school year, he took on his most challenging and rewarding role yet as he stepped into the classroom as a full-time teacher at Philadelphia’s Northeast High School. “Teach Tony Danza” follows the first year-teacher as he instructs a 10th-grade English class with 26 students.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1jSgODkRTsg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1jSgODkRTsg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
I tried to include all of the Comedy, Drama and Reality TV details on one post, but the time it took to load was just insane. So I decided to break them down by their Genres instead.<br />
<br />
Please see the following link for the Comedy Debut Dates, Official Websites, Trailers and Summaries: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-comedy-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Comedy TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
Please see the following link for the Drama Debut Dates, Official Websites, Trailers and Summaries: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-drama-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Drama TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3971789321/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3971789321/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/" target="_blank">wsilver</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-79201070835397453802010-09-12T20:39:00.005-04:002010-09-12T23:59:39.700-04:002010 Fall DRAMA TV Show Premier Dates, Trailers & Websites...<i>PLEASE NOTE: This page may take a few minutes to load (depending on the speed of your internet connection), as there are many embedded YouTube videos of <i><b><u>Drama</u></b></i> TV Show previews, trailers and video clips on this page.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth_m9AaEw4DNXWQXGC-666ujbsRhb3hAUE1JP1zLzITdQLx10M-vVVravvgARB5xAAZ83JT0ZZ-QClfA7zh3Zy853a5Irsw56IXhyb97vvBK_15xjNMT0xzvtnXuecnO9lBSvppwQ-3BP/s1600/TVs_by_wsilver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth_m9AaEw4DNXWQXGC-666ujbsRhb3hAUE1JP1zLzITdQLx10M-vVVravvgARB5xAAZ83JT0ZZ-QClfA7zh3Zy853a5Irsw56IXhyb97vvBK_15xjNMT0xzvtnXuecnO9lBSvppwQ-3BP/s640/TVs_by_wsilver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you're a huge TV fan like me, then I'm sure you can appreciate the struggle in trying to keep track of when all of your favorite TV Shows (and new TV Shows) are going to be starting again, or premiering for the first time this Fall Season.<br />
<br />
Well, I found a great article in the Toronto Sun where they gave a summary of the majority of the Fall 2010 TV Show Premier Dates. I took it a couple steps further and pulled together summaries for each of the shows, their Official Websites, and also the Trailers that I found kicking around on YouTube and etc. (and when the trailers weren't available, I grabbed video from previous seasons and etc.).<br />
<br />
Please note that I pulled together the summaries of each of the TV Shows from either <a href="http://www.imdb.com/" target="_blank">IMDb</a>, <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, or the actual TV Show's Official Website (see links below).<br />
<br />
I tried to include all of the Comedy, Drama and Reality TV details on one post, but the time it took to load was just insane. So I decided to break them down by their Genres into separate posts instead. This post focuses on the <i><b><u>Drama</u></b></i> TV Shows for this fall. Please see the following pages for the <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-comedy-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Comedy TV Shows</a> and the <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-reality-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Reality TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
Firstly, here's the article from the Toronto Sun where I found the list of shows, and their Fall TV Debut Dates:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/tv/2010/09/10/15306521.html" target="_blank">The fall TV preview</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>DRAMA FALL TV DEBUT DATES</b></u><br />
<br />
(Dates always subject to change by the networks)<br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 7:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/soa/" target="_blank">Sons of Anarchy (FX)</a><br />
<br />
Sons of Anarchy is an American television drama series created by Kurt Sutter about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in Northern California. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the Vice President of the club who begins questioning the club and himself. Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 3, 2008 on cable network FX. Its second season debuted on September 8, 2009, and its third season began on September 7, 2010.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWuygn0ibYU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWuygn0ibYU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Sept. 12: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lostgirlseries.com/" target="_blank">Lost Girl (Showcase)</a><br />
<br />
The series focuses on Bo, a supernatural being called a succubus who feeds on the energy of humans, sometimes with fatal results. The product of a strict upbringing, Bo was raised to believe that sex of any kind was inherently evil. When she discovers her powers after a traumatizing sexual encounter, she leaves home and sets out on her own, ‘feeding’ whenever the urge becomes too overwhelming. After leaving a victim in plain sight, she is found by the Fae, who takes her in and help her discover that she is a succubus. Forced to choose allegiance, between the Dark or Light clans of the Fae, she goes rogue, refusing to belong to any world other than human. She leaves them and attempts to locate her true birth mother and understand her true origins.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6UfkPb8UxZA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6UfkPb8UxZA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/90210" target="_blank">90210 (Global)</a><br />
<br />
The series revolves around several students at the fictional West Beverly Hills High, including new Beverly Hills residents Annie Wilson and Dixon Wilson. Their father, Harry Wilson, has returned from Kansas to his Beverly Hills childhood home with his family to care for his mother, former television and theater actress Tabitha Wilson, who has a drinking problem and doesn't get along with his wife Debbie. Annie and Dixon struggle to adjust to their new lives while making friends and yet adhering to their parents' wishes. 90210 featured cast members from the original series, including Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty, Tori Spelling, Ann Gillespie, and Joe E. Tata. However, starting with the third season none of these guest stars will be featured again.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mKMvrFmO0sM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mKMvrFmO0sM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 13: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl" target="_blank">Gossip Girl (CW, MuchMusic)</a><br />
<br />
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007. Narrated by the omniscient yet unseen blogger "Gossip Girl", voiced by Kristen Bell, the series revolves around the lives of privileged young adults on Manhattan's Upper East Side in New York City.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/leWA4yZ9oxo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/leWA4yZ9oxo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 14: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/" target="_blank">Parenthood (NBC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Parenthood is an American comedy-drama television series based on the 1989 film of the same title. It is also the second television series based on the film to air, the first airing during the 1990–91 television season. The show revolves around the Braverman family which has expanded to three generations, featuring the patriarch Zeek Braverman, and the matriarch Camille Braverman, their oldest son Adam and his wife, daughter and son, their daughter Sarah and her two kids, their second son Crosby, his ex-girlfriend Jasmine and their young son Jabbar, and finally their daughter Julia Braverman-Graham and her stay-at-home husband and young daughter.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eiuiQEUebHA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eiuiQEUebHA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/one-tree-hill" target="_blank">One Tree Hill (CW)</a><br />
<br />
One Tree Hill is an American teen, young adult television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003 on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and since September 27, 2006 the network is the official broadcaster for the show in the USA. The show is set in fictional town Tree Hill in North Carolina and originally follows the lives of two half-brothers, Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty). Their relationship evolves from heartless enemies to caring brothers, and the basketball drama, as well as the brothers' on-again/off-again romances with female characters, are significant elements within the series.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v9B1FQA7fMc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v9B1FQA7fMc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/life-unexpected" target="_blank">Life Unexpected (CW)</a><br />
<br />
Teenager Lux (Britt Robertson) had been through the foster care system for almost her whole life. Cate Cassidy (Shiri Appleby) had given birth to her while still a teen but gave her up for adoption believing a better home could be found for her. Most likely because of her heart problems as a baby, Lux was never adopted. On her 16th birthday, she decides that it's time for her to become an emancipated minor, but before that occurs, she has to get signatures from her unknown birth parents. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qrbrYD9EwjA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qrbrYD9EwjA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 15: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/outlaw/" target="_blank">Outlaw (NBC)</a><br />
<br />
Outlaw is an upcoming American television series produced by Conan O'Brien for the NBC network. The one-hour courtroom drama stars Jimmy Smits as a Supreme Court Justice who resigns from the bench to start his own law firm, as a way to more directly promote the ends of justice.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qDypZb37nyw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qDypZb37nyw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 19: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hbocanada.com/boardwalkempire/" target="_blank">Boardwalk Empire (HBO Canada)</a><br />
<br />
Boardwalk Empire is an upcoming American television series from premium cable network HBO, set in Atlantic City, New Jersey during the Prohibition era. Starring Steve Buscemi, the show is adapted from Nelson Johnson's book, Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City by Emmy award-winning screenwriter and producer Terence Winter of The Sopranos.The pilot episode was directed by Martin Scorsese and he is expected to continue to be creatively involved in the ongoing production.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uqS58Y3kcOY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uqS58Y3kcOY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/Law_&_Order:_Special_Victims_Unit/" target="_blank">Law and Order: SVU (CTV, NBC)</a><br />
<br />
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit originally centered almost exclusively around the detectives of the Special Victims Unit in a fictional version of the 16th Precinct of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). In the style of the original Law & Order, episodes are often "ripped from the headlines" or loosely based on a real crime that received media attention. The show stars Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler, a senior detective in the Manhattan SVU, and Mariska Hargitay as his partner, Detective Olivia Benson, a rookie to the unit who is the child of a rape. As the series progressed, additional supporting characters were added as allies of the detectives in the Manhattan District Attorney's office and the Medical Examiner's office. Typical episodes follow the detectives and their allies as they investigate and prosecute sexually based offenses.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qLqaMu6nPkY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qLqaMu6nPkY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 20: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/primetime/castle/index?pn=index" target="_blank">Castle (ABC, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Castle follows Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, a famous mystery novelist who has killed off his main character in his book series and has writer's block. Castle is called in to help the NYPD solve a copy-cat murder based on one of his novels. Stana Katic stars opposite as the determined detective Kate Beckett. Castle, who becomes interested in Beckett as a potential character for a new book series, uses his contacts and receives permission to continue accompanying Beckett while investigating cases. Castle decides to use Beckett as the model for the main character of his next book series, starring "Nikki Heat". Beckett, an avid reader of Castle's books, is initially disapproving of having Castle shadow her on her cases, but later warms up and recognizes Castle as a useful resource in solving crimes. While technically a drama series, Castle also features comedy and romantic tension.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9zbQlaVqgDM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9zbQlaVqgDM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/house/index1.htm" target="_blank">House (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
House, also known as House, M.D., is an American television medical drama that debuted on the Fox network on November 16, 2004. The program was conceived by David Shore and Paul Attanasio; Shore is credited as creator. The show's central character is Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), an unconventional medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital (PPTH) in New Jersey. The show's premise originated with Attanasio, while Shore was primarily responsible for the conception of the title character. The show's executive producers include Shore, Attanasio, Attanasio's business partner Katie Jacobs, and film director Bryan Singer. It is largely filmed in Century City.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A55Jw3SGwNU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A55Jw3SGwNU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/lonestar/" target="_blank">Lone Star (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
Robert Allen (James Wolk) is a Texas con-man who leads a secret double life. As "Bob," he is married to Cat and living in Houston while working for his oil-tycoon father-in-law. Four hundred miles away, he is "Robert" in a second life with girlfriend Lindsey. As he schemes to take control of the oil business and finds himself torn between the love of two women, he must fight to keep his web of lies from falling apart.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIoZ1q4OUtI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIoZ1q4OUtI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/the-event/" target="_blank">The Event (NBC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
The Event follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter), a man who, while investigating the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend, ends up unraveling the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Va_hb-JXA7E?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Va_hb-JXA7E?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/hawaii_five_o/" target="_blank">Hawaii Five-0 (CBS, Global)</a><br />
<br />
Hawaii Five-0 is an upcoming American procedural crime drama series and a re-imagining of the original 1968–1980 television series; however, the title contains a zero instead of the capital letter O in the title.[1] This new version of the series will debut on CBS, the same network that aired the original version. Like the original version, this one will follow an elite unit/task force set up to fight crime in the state of Hawaii.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aKTys6Q6yUo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aKTys6Q6yUo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/chase/" target="_blank">Chase (NBC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Chase revolves around Annie Frost (Kelli Giddish), a deputy U.S. Marshal, and her high-priority fugitive-apprehension team that trace down dangerous criminals in South Texas.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-9hZgqd0HEw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-9hZgqd0HEw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 21: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/beingerica/" target="_blank">Being Erica (CBC);</a><br />
<br />
The show stars Erin Karpluk as Erica Strange, a woman who begins seeing a therapist to deal with regrets in her life, only to discover the therapist (Michael Riley) has the ability to send her back in time to actually relive these events and even change them.<br />
<br />
Trailer (Series Premier):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0zGkg-l-8tU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0zGkg-l-8tU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/detroit-1-8-7" target="_blank">Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC)</a><br />
<br />
Detroit 1-8-7 is an upcoming American drama series that will air on ABC in Fall 2010.[1] The series stars Michael Imperioli as Detective Louis Fitch, a respected while deeply misunderstood man fighting crime on the streets of Detroit.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jdrxmljh89k?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jdrxmljh89k?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ncis/" target="_blank">NCIS (CBS)</a><br />
<br />
NCIS follows a fictional team of Naval Criminal Investigative Service Major Case Response Team (MCRT) special agents headquartered at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. It is described by the actors and producers (on special features on DVD releases in the United States) as being distinguished by its comic elements, ensemble acting and character-driven plots.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l__0iz4AwqI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l__0iz4AwqI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=812689964160142293" target="_blank">NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, Global)</a><br />
<br />
NCIS: Los Angeles is the first spin-off of NCIS, which itself was a spinoff of another CBS series, JAG. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZijeHEaxEk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZijeHEaxEk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Sept. 22: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sho.com/site/tudors/home.do" target="_blank">The Tudors (CBC)</a><br />
<br />
The Tudors is an Irish/Canadian produced historical fiction television series created by Michael Hirst. The series is based loosely upon the reign of English monarch Henry VIII, and is named after the Tudor dynasty.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sawkFsNSrAk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sawkFsNSrAk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/undercovers/" target="_blank">Undercovers (NBC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Undercovers is an American action spy television series created by J. J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Fringe), and Josh Reims for NBC. They will executive produce the pilot along with Abrams' frequent collaborator Bryan Burk.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zmnPE5qfw_w?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zmnPE5qfw_w?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/criminal_minds/" target="_blank">Criminal Minds (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Criminal Minds is an American police procedural drama that premiered September 22, 2005 on CBS. The series follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) at Quantico, Virginia. Criminal Minds differs from many procedural dramas by focusing on the criminal rather than the crime itself.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_defenders" target="_blank">The Defenders (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Defenders is an upcoming American seriocomedic legal drama which was ordered to series by CBS for the 2010-11 television season. The series, set in Las Vegas, Nevada, involves a pair of defense attorneys who go all out to help their clients, while keeping their personal lives in order.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=812689964160142293" target="_blank">The Whole Truth (ABC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
The Whole Truth is an upcoming American legal drama series that will premiere on ABC on September 22, 2010. Episodes will air on Wednesdays at 10:00pm Eastern/9:00pm Central. The show, which stars Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney, chronicles legal cases from the points of view of both the prosecution and the defense; it is set in New York City and shot in Los Angeles.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b>Sept. 23: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi/" target="_blank">CSI (CBS, CTV) (AKA CSI: Las Vegas)</a><br />
<br />
The series follows Las Vegas criminalists as they use physical evidence to solve grisly murders in this unusually graphic drama, which has inspired a host of other cop-show "procedurals". An immediate ratings smash for CBS, the series mixes deduction, gritty subject matter and popular characters. The network quickly capitalized on its hit with spin-offs CSI: Miami and CSI: NY.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_mentalist/" target="_blank">The Mentalist (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
The Mentalist is an American police procedural television series which debuted on September 23, 2008, on CBS. The show was created by Bruno Heller who is also the executive producer. It follows the story of Patrick Jane, who, as a paid consultant, aids the California Bureau of Investigation in homicide investigations with unorthodox methods.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/my-generation" target="_blank">My Generation (ABC)</a><br />
<br />
The series follows an eclectic group of young adults whose lives were being filmed for a documentary just before their graduation from Greenbelt High School in Austin, Texas in 2000. The group includes the Overachiever, the Beauty Queen, the Nerd, the Punk, the Jock, the Brain, the Rich Kid, the Rebel, and the Wallflower. Their hopes and dreams for the future were recorded, and as they meet up ten years later, they realize that things don't always go as planned. The series is set in present-day with flashbacks to the past.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3w1zoXns2ng?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3w1zoXns2ng?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/greys-anatomy" target="_blank">Grey's Anatomy (ABC, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series that follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace-Mercy West Hospital in Seattle, Washington. <br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/private-practice" target="_blank">Private Practice (ABC, A)</a><br />
<br />
Private Practice is a medical drama television program which premiered on September 26, 2007 on ABC. A spin-off of Grey's Anatomy, the series chronicles the life of Dr. Addison Montgomery, played by Kate Walsh, as she leaves Seattle Grace Hospital in order to join a private practice in Los Angeles.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8usPfpE756w?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8usPfpE756w?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/bones/" target="_blank">Bones (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) to the forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel). The rest of the cast includes Michaela Conlin, T. J. Thyne, Eric Millegan, Tamara Taylor and John Francis Daley.Created by Hart Hanson, the series is very loosely based on the life of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, who also produces the show. Its title character, Temperance Brennan, is named after the protagonist of Reichs' crime novel series. Bones is a joint production by Josephson Entertainment, Far Field Productions and 20th Century Fox Television.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aXmAc8n64AE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aXmAc8n64AE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/fringe" target="_blank">Fringe (Fox, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Fringe is an American science fiction television series created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The series follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, Massachusetts under the supervision of Homeland Security. The team uses unorthodox "fringe" science and FBI investigative techniques to investigate "the Pattern", a series of unexplained, often ghastly occurrences that are happening all over the world. The show has been described as a hybrid of The X-Files, Altered States, The Twilight Zone, and Dark Angel.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/91shsr-t5GU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/91shsr-t5GU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.citytv.com/toronto/show/basic/844--law-order-uk" target="_blank">Law and Order: UK (Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Law & Order: UK (also known as: Law & Order: London in Ireland) is the latest member of the Law & Order franchise, one of the most successful brands in American primetime television.Law & Order: UK is based in London and duplicates the episode format of the original series. The first half focuses on the perpetration of a crime and the related police investigation typically culminating in an arrest, while the second half follows the legal and court proceedings in an effort to convict the suspect. The show dwells little on the characters' back-stories or social lives, focusing mainly on their lives at work.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RGPS3OD9lqE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RGPS3OD9lqE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 24: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/body-of-proof" target="_blank">Body of Proof (ABC)</a><br />
<br />
The series stars Delany as Dr. Megan Hunt, a medical examiner. The show will focus on Hunt's efforts to balance the demands of her professional life with her personal life. Hunt was previously employed as a neurosurgeon. Her boss is the city's chief medical examiner, played by Ryan.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FplbLwd3NpU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FplbLwd3NpU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/blue_bloods/" target="_blank">Blue Bloods (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Revolves around a family of New York cops. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kVwMR5nLUbc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kVwMR5nLUbc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi_ny/" target="_blank">CSI: New York (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
A spin-off from CSI: Miami, the third edition to the franchise follows a Manhattan forensics team headed by tough Marine Major, turned NYPD Detective First Grade Mac Taylor. Against a backdrop of simmering ethnic and cultural tensions, Taylor probes cases similar to their Las Vegas and Miami counterparts, along with his team of Detectives, consisting of Detective Third Grade Danny Messer, Detective Third Grade Lindsay Monroe, ME turned CSI, Detective Dr. Sheldon Hawkes, and Taylor's new second in command Detective Jo Danville due to join the team in Season 7. The CSI's work alongside Medical Examiner Sid Hammerback, Lab Technician Adam Ross, and tough NYPD Beat Cop Detective First Grade Don Flack. Former team members include Detective Third Grade Aiden Burn and Taylor's former second in Command Detective First Grade Stella Bonasera.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gSZ9nVrYixg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gSZ9nVrYixg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/medium/" target="_blank">Medium (CBS, A)</a><br />
<br />
Allison DuBois (Patricia Arquette) is a mother of three, a devoted wife, and a law student who has had the gift of being able to talk to dead people, as well as foresee events and witness past events in her dreams. When she begins working for Phoenix District Attorney Manuel Devalos (Miguel Sandoval) as an intern, she has a dream which relates to a murder in Texas, the successful solving of which convinces her boss and others working in the D.A.'s office – and herself and her husband – that her gift is real.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pxpSuA1EZBw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pxpSuA1EZBw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/smallville" target="_blank">Smallville (CW)</a><br />
<br />
Smallville follows the life of Clark Kent (Tom Welling), beginning when he is a teenager in the town of Smallville, Kansas, and continuing through high school, college, and his start at the Daily Planet before he adopts the "Superman" persona. As the series progresses, Clark Kent copes with his emerging superpowers (x-ray vision, super hearing, etc.), exploration of his extraterrestrial origins and discovering his true destiny. The series also deals with the people in Clark Kent's life: his human parents, Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) and Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole); his friends Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and Pete Ross (Sam Jones III); his sometime love interest Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk); Chloe's cousin and Clark's love interest since season eight, Lois Lane (Erica Durance); and his friendship with Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) and how this gradually decays into their mutual enmity of legend.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SlLZxglXLUw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SlLZxglXLUw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/supernatural" target="_blank">Supernatural (CW)</a><br />
<br />
Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they hunt demons and other figures of the paranormal.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ini3gJ0SERk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ini3gJ0SERk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 26: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sho.com%2Fsite%2Fdexter%2F&rct=j&q=Dexter&ei=KRiNTJWTNMvBnAeK47GvCw&usg=AFQjCNFh791f0r0pmHV29Xa2ytpoBaYhTQ&cad=rja" target="_blank">Dexter (The Movie Network, Movie Central)</a><br />
<br />
Dexter is an American television drama series that centers on Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a blood spatter-pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department, who moonlights as a serial killer.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U79YJGCHWkw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U79YJGCHWkw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/brothers-and-sisters" target="_blank">Brothers and Sisters (ABC, Global)</a><br />
<br />
The show is centered on the Walker family, an American family of Irish and Jewish heritages. Some of the family members are involved in the family-owned business running Ojai Industries d.b.a. Ojai Food Co, a produce distributor and wine producer. Most of the action is set in the Greater Los Angeles area. The family home is located in Pasadena, California. The main branches of the Walker family tree included father William (deceased) (Tom Skerritt), mother Nora (Sally Field), and their five grown children – Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin. Nora's brother, Saul Holden (Ron Rifkin) helps run the Walker family business and is involved in most of the family's affairs.<br />
<br />
Trailer (last season's trailer):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nP8t9HGzrmc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nP8t9HGzrmc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/desperate-housewives" target="_blank">Desperate Housewives (ABC, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
The setting of the show is the street of Wisteria Lane in the fictional American town of Fairview in the Eagle State. It follows the lives of a group of women, seen through the eyes of their dead neighbor. They work through domestic struggles and family life, while facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their—at the surface—beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood. The show is inspired, to an extent, by the 1999 film American Beauty.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YGt0KEAKBPk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YGt0KEAKBPk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/heartland" target="_blank">Heartland (CBC)</a><br />
<br />
Set against the vistas of the Alberta Rocky Mountains, Heartland is a family drama following sisters Amy and Lou Fleming and their grandfather Jack Bartlett through the highs and lows of life on a horse ranch. Amy and Lou's mother was killed in a car accident. Amy and Lou continue to keep her mother's dream alive by healing abused and neglected horses.<br />
<br />
Trailer (last season):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xgaG6fAv-w8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xgaG6fAv-w8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 28: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_good_wife" target="_blank">The Good Wife (CBS, Global)</a><br />
<br />
The storyline focuses on Margulies as Alicia Florrick, the wife of Peter Florrick (Chris Noth). Her husband, a former Chicago state's attorney, has been jailed following a very public sex and corruption scandal. She returns to her old job as a litigator to rebuild her reputation and provide for her two children.[7] The series was partly inspired by the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal,[8] as well as by other prominent American political sex scandals, particularly those of John Edwards and Bill Clinton:<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bonJPxc3QQg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bonJPxc3QQg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/no-ordinary-family/" target="_blank">No Ordinary Family (ABC, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
The show centers on the Powells, a typical American family whose members gain special abilities after their plane crash lands into the Amazon River.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MgrNIOK3pv4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MgrNIOK3pv4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 29: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-los-angeles/" target="_blank">Law and Order: Los Angeles (NBC, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
From Dick Wolf, comes a foray into the glitz, glamour and guilt of Los Angeles. From the tony Beverly Hills to the seedy side of Hollywood, LAPD's elite Robbery Homicide Division is on the case. Fusing classic ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling with the backdrop of LA, the series delves into the high-profile crimes of the West Coast.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eJ43m3F6TLo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eJ43m3F6TLo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 1:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/humantarget/" target="_blank">Human Target (Fox, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
The series follows the life of San Francisco-based Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a unique private contractor, bodyguard and security expert hired to protect his clients. Rather than taking on the target's identity himself (as in the comic book version), he protects his clients by completely integrating himself into their lives, to become the human target. Chance is accompanied by his business partner Winston (Chi McBride) and hired gun Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley). He puts himself on the line to find the truth behind the mission.[4] Even his own business partner Winston doesn't know what drove him towards this life.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C0e04hnUyuE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C0e04hnUyuE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 3: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi_miami/" target="_blank">CSI: Miami (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Inspired by the top-rated series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami follows a South Florida team of forensic investigators/police officers who use both cutting-edge scientific methods and old-fashioned police work to solve crimes. Horatio Caine heads the team of investigators while working crimes in the steamy tropical surroundings and cultural crossroads of Miami. Horatio's team probes cases similar to those of their Las Vegas counterparts, but the Miami CSI team are also police officers as well as forensic investigators.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J3jRywzOU0E?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J3jRywzOU0E?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/wallander/index.html" target="_blank">Wallander II: Faceless Killers (PBS)</a><br />
<br />
Wallander is a British television series adapted from the Swedish novelist Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander novels and starring Kenneth Branagh as the eponymous police inspector<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cmOvdM0Vfc0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cmOvdM0Vfc0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 25: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hbo.com/in-treatment/index.html" target="_blank">In Treatment (HBO Canada)</a><br />
<br />
Each episode of In Treatment focuses on one patient, including Paul, who is seeing his clinical supervisor and psychotherapist, Gina, played by Dianne Wiest.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EH7vzKbz3Kc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EH7vzKbz3Kc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.durhamcounty.ca/" target="_blank">Durham County (HBO Canada)</a><br />
<br />
The series stars Hugh Dillon as Mike Sweeney, a homicide detective from Toronto who moves his family to suburban Durham County to start over after his partner is killed and his wife Audrey (Hélène Joy) is diagnosed with breast cancer. However, he soon discovers that his neighbour and childhood nemesis Ray Prager (Justin Louis) may be a serial killer.<br />
<br />
Set amidst the landscape of new suburban developments. The mise-en-scene conveys a palpable sense of alienation, being cut off from the rest of the world with shiny new hydro towers looming in the sky. Everything is without history, and homogeneity pervades the neighborhoods. In this setting, we deal with the aftermath of a serial killer’s impact on his family, his surviving victims and their family. The question is how do the families move on after being so traumatized by the heinous acts of a killer.<br />
<br />
Trailer (Season 2):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/y8l2rdWKrp4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y8l2rdWKrp4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 31: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amctv.com/originals/The-Walking-Dead/" target="_blank">The Walking Dead (AMC)</a><br />
<br />
The Walking Dead tells the story of the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse and follows a small group of survivors traveling across the country in search of a new home away from the hordes of zombies. The group is led by Rick Grimes, who was a police officer in the old world. As their situation grows more and more grim, the group's desperation to survive pushes them to do almost anything to stay alive.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R1v0uFms68U?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R1v0uFms68U?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Nov. 10: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/lietome/" target="_blank">Lie to Me (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
Based on the real-life scientific discoveries of Paul Ekman, the series follows Lightman and his team of deception experts as they assist law enforcement and government agencies to expose the truth behind the lies.<br />
<br />
Trailer (Series Premier):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tChlFbQxcx4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tChlFbQxcx4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
I tried to include all of the Comedy, Drama and Reality TV details on one post, but the time it took to load was just insane. So I decided to break them down by their Genres instead.<br />
<br />
Please see the following link for the Comedy Debut Dates, Official Websites, Trailers and Summaries: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-comedy-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Comedy TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
Please see the following link for the Reality TV Debut Dates, Official Websites, Trailers and Summaries: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-reality-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Reality TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3971789321/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3971789321/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/" target="_blank">wsilver</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-34586484287377200842010-09-12T20:32:00.007-04:002010-09-12T23:22:32.357-04:002010 Fall COMEDY TV Show Premier Dates, Trailers & Websites...<i>PLEASE NOTE: This page may take a few minutes to load (depending on the speed of your internet connection), as there are many embedded YouTube videos of <u><b>Comedy</b></u> TV Show previews, trailers and video clips on this page.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth_m9AaEw4DNXWQXGC-666ujbsRhb3hAUE1JP1zLzITdQLx10M-vVVravvgARB5xAAZ83JT0ZZ-QClfA7zh3Zy853a5Irsw56IXhyb97vvBK_15xjNMT0xzvtnXuecnO9lBSvppwQ-3BP/s1600/TVs_by_wsilver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth_m9AaEw4DNXWQXGC-666ujbsRhb3hAUE1JP1zLzITdQLx10M-vVVravvgARB5xAAZ83JT0ZZ-QClfA7zh3Zy853a5Irsw56IXhyb97vvBK_15xjNMT0xzvtnXuecnO9lBSvppwQ-3BP/s640/TVs_by_wsilver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you're a huge TV fan like me, then I'm sure you can appreciate the struggle in trying to keep track of when all of your favorite TV Shows (and new TV Shows) are going to be starting again, or premiering for the first time this Fall Season.<br />
<br />
Well, I found a great article in the Toronto Sun where they gave a summary of the majority of the Fall 2010 TV Show Premier Dates. I took it a couple steps further and pulled together summaries for each of the shows, their Official Websites, and also the Trailers that I found kicking around on YouTube and etc. (and when the trailers weren't available, I grabbed video from previous seasons and etc.).<br />
<br />
Please note that I pulled together the summaries of each of the TV Shows from either <a href="http://www.imdb.com/" target="_blank">IMDb</a>, <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, or the actual TV Show's Official Website (see links below).<br />
<br />
I tried to include all of the Comedy, Drama and Reality TV details on one post, but the time it took to load was just insane. So I decided to break them down by their Genres into separate posts instead. This post focuses on the <i><u><b>Comedy</b></u></i> TV Shows for this fall. Please see the following pages for the <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-drama-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Drama TV Shows</a> and the <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-reality-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Reality TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
Firstly, here's the article from the Toronto Sun where I found the list of shows, and their Fall TV Debut Dates:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/tv/2010/09/10/15306521.html" target="_blank">The fall TV preview</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>COMEDY FALL TV DEBUT DATES</b></u><br />
<br />
(Dates always subject to change by the networks)<br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 16:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/sunny/" target="_blank">It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia</a><br />
<br />
The series follows The Gang, a group of five depraved underachievers who run Paddy's Pub, a run-down bar in South Philadelphia. They are dishonest, egotistical, greedy, unethical, lazy, arrogant, and antagonistic, and are often embroiled in controversial issues. Episodes usually find them hatching elaborate schemes, conspiring against one another or others for personal gain or the pleasure of watching their downfall. Their tactics often rely on inflicting emotional and sometimes physical pain on individuals both deserving and undeserving. They regularly use blackmail and manipulate one another and others outside of the group. Their unity is never solid; any of them would quickly dump the others for quick profit or personal gain regardless of the consequences. Almost everything they do results in competition between them.<br />
<br />
<object height="295" style="background-image: url("http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/V6TXdldX7ws/hqdefault.jpg");" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V6TXdldX7ws?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V6TXdldX7ws?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 19: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hbocanada.com/callmefitz/" target="_blank">Call Me Fitz (HBO Canada)</a><br />
<br />
A morally bankrupt car salesman is forced to go into business with his conscience. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Er4n2KIyXk8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Er4n2KIyXk8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 20: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/mike_and_molly/" target="_blank">Mike and Molly (CBS, A)</a><br />
<br />
A couple meets in a weight-loss support group.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m8HQ7njGNe8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m8HQ7njGNe8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/chuck/" target="_blank">Chuck (NBC)</a><br />
<br />
When a twenty-something computer geek inadvertently downloads critical government secrets into his brain, CIA and NSA assign two agents to protect him and exploit such knowledge, turning his life upside down. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MvLwF604Hwo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MvLwF604Hwo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mother/" target="_blank">How I Met Your Mother (CBS,Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Egged on by his best friend's upcoming nuptials, Ted believes he finds the woman of his dreams in Robin -- though destiny might have something different in mind. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jKpV2cCMzHM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jKpV2cCMzHM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/rules_of_engagement/" target="_blank">Rules of Engagement (CBS, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Two couples and their single friend, all at different stages in their relationships, deal with the complications of dating, commitment and marriage. <br />
<br />
<div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 272px; width: 440px;"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="playerVars=showStats=yes|autoPlay=no|videoTitle=RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: SEASON 4: Movie Trailer" height="272" name="Metacafe_4695157" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/4695157/rules_of_engagement_season_4_movie_trailer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="440" wmode="transparent"></embed></div><br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/two_and_a_half_men/" target="_blank">Two and a Half Men (CBS, A)</a><br />
<br />
A hedonistic jingle writer's free-wheeling life comes to an abrupt halt when his brother and 10-year-old nephew move into his beach-front house. <br />
<br />
<object height="300" width="400"><param name='movie' value='http://www.cbs.com/e/mqDX70IPQmzEnTKuMD1idl4klb8w6f9j/cbs/1/'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param><param name='FlashVars' value='config=http://www.cbs.com/thunder/player/1_0/partner/cbs/skin_cbs_norelated'></param><embed width='400' height='300' src='http://www.cbs.com/e/mqDX70IPQmzEnTKuMD1idl4klb8w6f9j/cbs/1/' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' FlashVars='config=http://www.cbs.com/thunder/player/1_0/partner/cbs/skin_cbs_norelated'></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 21:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/22minutes/" target="_blank">This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC);</a><br />
<br />
This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a weekly Canadian television comedy that airs on CBC Television. Launched in 1993 during Canada's 35th general election, the show focuses on Canadian politics, combining news parody, sketch comedy and satirical editorials. Originally featuring Cathy Jones, Rick Mercer, Greg Thomey and Mary Walsh, the series featured satirical sketches of the weekly news and Canadian political events. The show's format is a mock news program, intercut with comic sketches, parody commercials and humorous interviews of public figures. The on-location segments are frequently filmed with slanted camera angles.<br />
<br />
Clip from show (Trailer not available):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xT_DATTJVyY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xT_DATTJVyY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/index.php" target="_blank">Rick Mercer Report (CBC)</a><br />
<br />
Rick Mercer Report (or the Mercer Report; formerly known as Rick Mercer's Monday Report or simply Monday Report) is a Canadian television comedy series which airs on CBC Television. Launched in 2004 and hosted by comedian Rick Mercer, the weekly half-hour show combines news parody, sketch comedy, visits to interesting places across Canada, and satirical editorials, often involving Canadian politics. The show's format is similar in some respects to "fake news" shows like Mercer's prior series, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and to Jon Stewart's The Daily Show – however, the Mercer Report's on-location segments are usually played relatively straight in comparison to those on the other shows, since participants are usually aware of Mercer's identity and purpose.<br />
<br />
Clip from show (Trailer not available):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ojFj17_acMU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ojFj17_acMU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/glee/" target="_blank">Glee (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
A high-school Spanish teacher becomes the director of the school's Glee club, hoping to restore it to its former glory. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k-xiziUTzL0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k-xiziUTzL0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/raisinghope/" target="_blank">Raising Hope (Fox)</a><br />
<br />
Jimmy becomes a 25-year-old single parent to an infant whose mother he had a one-night stand with after she ends up on death row. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LQ81uDSWjGc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LQ81uDSWjGc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/runningwilde/" target="_blank">Running Wilde (Fox)</a><br />
<br />
From the Emmy Award-winning creator and the star of the critically acclaimed Fox series "Arrested Development" comes Running Wilde, a romantic comedy starring Will Arnett ("Arrested Development," "30 Rock") as Steve Wilde, a filty-rich, immature playboy trying desperately to win (or buy) the heart of his childhood sweetheart, Emmy Kadubic (Keri Russell, "Waitress," "Felicity"), the uber-liberal humanitarian who got away – all told through the perspective of a 12-year-old girl.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYfRSHilLcs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYfRSHilLcs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 22: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle" target="_blank">The Middle (ABC)</a><br />
<br />
The daily mishaps of a harried woman and her semi-dysfunctional family and their attempts to survive life in general in the city of Orson, Indiana. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rML3nms8RTY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rML3nms8RTY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/better-with-you" target="_blank">Better Together (ABC)</a><br />
<br />
Two sisters are at different stages in their respective relationships. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vRW8KX_OJyU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vRW8KX_OJyU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family" target="_blank">Modern Family (ABC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
A satirical look at three different families and the trials they face in each of their own uniquely comedic ways. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qMN293T7RW4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qMN293T7RW4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Show Clip (since the Trailer didn't tell much about the show):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyUNRWJg0P8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyUNRWJg0P8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/cougar-town" target="_blank">Cougar Town (ABC, Citytv).</a><br />
<br />
A recently divorced woman decides to find some excitement in her dating life. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/quskWuMoa9Y?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/quskWuMoa9Y?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Show Clip (since the Trailer didn't tell much about the show):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PcbSUvT51I8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PcbSUvT51I8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 23: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/community/" target="_blank">Community (NBC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
Community is an American television comedy series created by Dan Harmon that is broadcast by NBC. The series is about a group of students at a community college in Colorado.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VfjYaivKGJ8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VfjYaivKGJ8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/" target="_blank">30 Rock (NBC, Citytv)</a><br />
<br />
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live. 30 Rock takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy series depicted as airing on NBC; the name "30 Rock" refers to the address of the GE Building where NBC Studios is located, 30 Rockefeller Plaza.<br />
<br />
Trailer (from previous season, latest trailer not available yet):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWENrbK8EcM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWENrbK8EcM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/" target="_blank">The Office (NBC, Global)</a><br />
<br />
The Office is an American comedy-drama television series broadcast by NBC. An adaptation of the BBC series The Office, the series depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The Office was renewed for a seventh season, and Steve Carell confirmed he will be leaving the show when his contract expires at the end of its production.<br />
<br />
Trailer (30 Rock, The Office, Community and Outsourced):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GXz6h55qNN4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GXz6h55qNN4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/outsourced/" target="_blank">Outsourced (NBC, Global)</a><br />
<br />
Outsourced is set in a Mumbai, India, call center, where an American novelties company has recently outsourced its order processing. A lone American manages the call center and must explain American popular culture to his employees as he comes to understand Indian culture.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2PUQc2C0okI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2PUQc2C0okI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_bang_theory/" target="_blank">The Big Bang Theory (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Set in Pasadena, California, the show is about two fictional Caltech geniuses, one an experimental physicist (Leonard Hofstadter) and the other a theoretical physicist (Sheldon Cooper), who live across the hall from an attractive blonde waitress and aspiring actress (Penny). Leonard and Sheldon's geekiness and intellect are contrasted for comic effect with Penny's social skills and common sense. An aerospace engineer (Howard Wolowitz) and a particle astrophysicist (Rajesh Koothrappali) are their equally geeky and socially awkward co-workers and friends.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Mu2WWUclf0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Mu2WWUclf0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/my_dad_says/" target="_blank">$#*! My Dad Says (CBS, CTV)</a><br />
<br />
Ed is a very opinionated 72-year-old who has been divorced three times. His two adult sons, Henry and Vince, are accustomed to his unsolicited and often politically incorrect rants. When Henry, a struggling writer and blogger, can no longer afford his rent, he is forced to move back in with Ed, which creates new issues in their tricky father-son relationship.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/crEGF02a_Lw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/crEGF02a_Lw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 24: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/goodguys/" target="_blank">The Good Guys (Fox)</a><br />
<br />
The Good Guys is an American dramedy series about an old-school cop and a modern-day detective that premiered with a preview episode on Fox on May 19, 2010, and began airing regularly on June 7.[4] The series stars Bradley Whitford as Dan Stark, a mustachioed, former big-shot detective with the Dallas Police Department, and Colin Hanks as Jack Bailey, a young, ambitious, by-the-book detective who has been assigned as Dan's partner because of his snarky attitude.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3sJJoJ0nfkw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3sJJoJ0nfkw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/ronjames/" target="_blank">The Ron James Show (CBC)</a><br />
<br />
The Ron James Show is a Canadian television comedy show, which debuted on CBC Television on September 25, 2009. Starring comedian Ron James, the show intersperses sketches with clips of James performing his stand-up routine. One of the show's more noted features is L'il Ronnie James, an animated sketch which depicts James as a young child growing up in Cape Breton.<br />
<br />
Clip from show (Trailer not available):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G1GtW_hX1YM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G1GtW_hX1YM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Sept. 26: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thesimpsons.com/" target="_blank">The Simpsons (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
The Simpsons is an American animated television series created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a working-class American lifestyle epitomized by its eponymous family,[1] which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional city of Springfield, and lampoons American culture, society, television and many aspects of the human condition.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/asPuVmmRrVk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/asPuVmmRrVk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/cleveland/" target="_blank">The Cleveland Show (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
The adventures of the "Family Guy"'s neighbor and deli owner, Cleveland Brown.<br />
<br />
Trailer (Series premier trailer):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sT-sNBKpDEo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sT-sNBKpDEo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/familyguy/index.htm" target="_blank">Family Guy (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian. The show is set in the fictional city of Quahog, Rhode Island, and lampoons American culture, society, television and many aspects of the human condition.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2WNrx2jq184?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2WNrx2jq184?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hbocanada.com/eastboundanddown/" target="_blank">Eastbound and Down (HBO Canada)</a><br />
<br />
Eastbound & Down is a comedy show from HBO, starring Danny McBride as Kenny Powers, a former professional baseball pitcher, who after an up and down career in the major leagues is forced to return to his hometown middle-school in Shelby, North Carolina as a substitute physical education teacher<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V52IDaXT8Bg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V52IDaXT8Bg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hbocanada.com/boredtodeath/" target="_blank">Bored to Death (HBO Canada)</a><br />
<br />
Bored to Death is an American comedy television series, which premiered in the United States on HBO on September 20, 2009. Created by Jonathan Ames, the series follows a writer, named Jonathan Ames, based in Brooklyn who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective. Advertisements have described Bored to Death as a "Noir-otic comedy".<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j6nNRufm0yA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j6nNRufm0yA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/americas-funniest-home-videos" target="_blank">America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC)</a><br />
<br />
America's Funniest Home Videos (often simply abbreviated to AFHV, or its on-air abbreviation AFV) is an American reality television program on ABC in which viewers are able to send in humorous homemade videotapes. The most common videos usually feature slapstick physical comedy arising fromaccidents and mishaps. Other popular videos include humorous situations involving pets or children, while some are staged practical jokes and various forms of act<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ww2gSXywuxM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ww2gSXywuxM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 3: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox.com/americandad/" target="_blank">American Dad (Fox, Global)</a><br />
<br />
American Dad centers on the domestic life of its nominal title character, Stan Smith, a staunchly conservative Republican CIA agent, and self-proclaimed patriot. He is married to Francine Smith, a fairly ditzy housewife who is trying to make up for a wild youth. Their two children are Hayley Smith, a passionately left-wing college-aged activist, and Steve Smith, an awkward teenage nerd. The Smith family is also in possession of two bizarre nonhumans — Roger, an escaped alien from Area 51 whom Stan is covertly housing in defiance of his employer, and Klaus, a goldfish whom the CIA implanted with the brain of an East German Olympic skier.<br />
<br />
Trailer (Season 3 DVD):<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJGXThLYU4I?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJGXThLYU4I?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 4: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=812689964160142293" target="_blank">Men With Brooms (CBC)</a><br />
<br />
Men with Brooms is a Canadian television sitcom, scheduled to debut on CBC Television in September 2010. It is a television adaptation of the 2002 film Men with Brooms.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TKNRyOiOTdg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TKNRyOiOTdg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Oct. 25:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/drop-dead-diva" target="_blank">Drop Dead Diva (Showcase)</a><br />
<br />
The series revolves around vapid blonde and aspiring model, Debbie (Deb) Dobkins (played by Brooke D'Orsay in the pilot and in flashbacks), who is killed in a car crash. As her soul enters the gates of Heaven, she finds herself declared a self-centered "zero" (meaning she has performed zero good deeds and zero bad deeds during her time on earth; she is simply shallow) by the gatekeeper, Fred. After not liking what she hears, she presses for a return to her former body, hoping to get back to Earth. Deb gets her wish, only to be brought back to life in the body of a recently deceased, intelligent, overweight lawyer named Jane Bingum.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5AUCSeyhkSs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5AUCSeyhkSs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Nov. 8: </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tbs.com/shows/conanobrien/" target="_blank">Conan (CTV, TBS)</a><br />
<br />
Conan is an upcoming American late-night talk show featuring Conan O'Brien as host, scheduled to premiere November 8, 2010 on TBS. The program's host, Conan O'Brien, previously hosted NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien, which followed The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for 16 years, until O'Brien's brief tenure as host of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, and subsequent buyout from the network on January 22, 2010.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ITDLbBS5MM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ITDLbBS5MM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
I tried to include all of the Comedy, Drama and Reality TV details on one post, but the time it took to load was just insane. So I decided to break them down by their Genres instead.<br />
<br />
Please see the following link for the Drama Debut Dates, Official Websites, Trailers and Summaries: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-drama-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Drama TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
Please see the following link for the Reality TV Debut Dates, Official Websites, Trailers and Summaries: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-fall-reality-tv-show-premier-dates.html">Reality TV Shows</a>.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3971789321/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3971789321/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/" target="_blank">wsilver</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-32855540601248934542010-09-08T01:12:00.001-04:002010-09-08T01:14:55.469-04:00Rob Ford Releases His Transportation Plan! Here Are The Details...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvyNl_AvdF_vGIsSXDk_YdAgcxe6IwKrceRz0fL-LtgKPkcHgXcQxqVIay3LaXsiq9kDhyBhVu9FbDNUPZQgP8skxxlJ0YAUkklAumuo5AWXLT5wSa3UtLxXmeelbseMUPei9N0P81v5O/s1600/RobFordTransportationPlan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvyNl_AvdF_vGIsSXDk_YdAgcxe6IwKrceRz0fL-LtgKPkcHgXcQxqVIay3LaXsiq9kDhyBhVu9FbDNUPZQgP8skxxlJ0YAUkklAumuo5AWXLT5wSa3UtLxXmeelbseMUPei9N0P81v5O/s640/RobFordTransportationPlan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Rob Ford just released his Transportation Plan as a part of his platform as a Candidate for the next Mayor of Toronto.<br />
<br />
I've gone ahead and included below Rob Ford's release statement in regards to his Transportation Plan, a link to the detailed plan pdf, as well as a YouTube video where Ford describes the Transportation Plan: <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote>Dear Toronto,<br />
<br />
I am very excited to let you know that my Transportation Plan for the future of Toronto has just been released.<br />
<br />
<u>It's time for responsible government to implement a sensible transportation plan that reflects the needs of transit users, motorists, commercial vehicle operators, cyclists and pedestrians.</u><br />
<br />
For seven years, City Hall has tackled Gridlock by declaring war on cars in Toronto. Toronto has eliminated lanes from busy roadways, increased parking charges, ignored roadway repairs and generally made life miserable for drivers.<br />
<br />
The province estimates congestion costs the GTA some $2.2 billion each year. Commuting times increase every year, making it harder for Toronto residents to get to work and leaving them less time with their families. Gridlock is bad for people, families, our economy and our environment.<br />
<br />
My plan is threefold: Subways, Roads, Bike & Walking Trails.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Subways</b></u><br />
<u><b><br />
</b></u><br />
Subways are more reliable, carry ten times as many people as streetcars, move faster and can be scheduled at convenient times. Properly managed, they can also provide an affordable transportation choice for people and families in Toronto. </blockquote><blockquote>My subway plan is realistic, it's affordable, and it will deliver real benefits for people living and working in Toronto in time for the 2015 Pan-Am Games.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Roadways</b></u><br />
<u><b><br />
</b></u><br />
Investing in our roads make sense. Toronto will always depend on roads and rails to move people and goods around our city. It's time to address the $250 Million backlog in essential road repairs and invest in road improvements that will get traffic flowing again in Toronto.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Bike & Walking Trails</b></u><br />
<u><b><br />
</b></u><br />
Many cyclists are uncomfortable riding on the streets with cars. We will build a comprehensive network of bicycle trails across the city and build 100 kilometres of pedestrian path alongside the bicycle trails. </blockquote><blockquote>For my full plan and costing please visit:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.robfordformayor.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Transportation-Plan4.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.robfordformayor.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Transportation-Plan4.pdf</a></blockquote><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=a99gtsdab&et=1103667459872&s=1420&e=001WdZNPyQ4QZTT4_jNrt2zt269SlId5bE14MxF5mtTa3nGsEexYa6VucGLzKP0XsszRdWyi9FrkV2gzC1OsXwVS_IVKu1TqJNHyu4aliOqdrr0pe1f2DSiydZOdtas1SE2gH1ZV74jouG2mcuUtoqpiY17i7zFzKxkguXppuqyW5laZfHhgehTUdYU3FiYGZEl" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_xfsIj6gYAw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_xfsIj6gYAw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from YouTube video above at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfsIj6gYAw&feature=player_embedded#%21" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfsIj6gYAw&feature=player_embedded#!</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-47800493546489032272010-09-06T19:53:00.000-04:002010-09-06T19:53:52.558-04:00Sons of Anarchy Returns Sept. 7th for Season 3! Here's the Trailer...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6vQXy7UGg_UZs-0xzH_EjyZmn_YsHon4c2I12JIOt13vNBkaTdcOcilpskLew0978N_Z42-1cguVbMy2znXr101ALJ0KPHW09Vmqr6t2rO5gOLJt_PiYU-aJk8Lv_DhHF_I6LUqNj5qY/s1600/SonsOfAnarchSeason3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6vQXy7UGg_UZs-0xzH_EjyZmn_YsHon4c2I12JIOt13vNBkaTdcOcilpskLew0978N_Z42-1cguVbMy2znXr101ALJ0KPHW09Vmqr6t2rO5gOLJt_PiYU-aJk8Lv_DhHF_I6LUqNj5qY/s640/SonsOfAnarchSeason3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Sons of Anarchy returns on the FX Network Tomorrow September 7th for Season 3!!<br />
<br />
Here's a great trailer I found for Season 3 on YouTube:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWuygn0ibYU" target="_blank">Sons Of Anarchy Season 3 Trailer (Tues Sept 7th)</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWuygn0ibYU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWuygn0ibYU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from YouTube video at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWuygn0ibYU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWuygn0ibYU</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-42821521919059955122010-09-06T17:22:00.001-04:002010-09-06T17:23:03.692-04:00It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Returns Sept. 16th for Season 6!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismXoOmp-SLSNSITYSwif1kQd07xvLP9O2QM4anuIFJRIhLKDoMZGf7INM7dmJ4yKgnuR7WL0hAgUxIlZlxEwqYe9ra_3Av1-myBXZuo5nbozMf14fI7o2VoVEjfN8H1VoFx0SwzGwh8nJ/s1600/ItsAlwaysSunnyinPhiladelphiaSeason6Premier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismXoOmp-SLSNSITYSwif1kQd07xvLP9O2QM4anuIFJRIhLKDoMZGf7INM7dmJ4yKgnuR7WL0hAgUxIlZlxEwqYe9ra_3Av1-myBXZuo5nbozMf14fI7o2VoVEjfN8H1VoFx0SwzGwh8nJ/s640/ItsAlwaysSunnyinPhiladelphiaSeason6Premier.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is back on September 16th for Season 6, and I can't wait!!<br />
<br />
If you haven't watched the show yet, I actually envy you! It is definitely one of the funniest shows on TV right now, and you get 5 Seasons worth of episodes to watch for the first time! In case you're wondering what the show is about, people say it's like a <i>Dark Seinfeld on Crack</i>, and I'd have to agree.<br />
<br />
I found a bunch of trailers for Season 6 on the ALLNEWSSUNNY YouTube channel, and I embedded one of the videos below for your viewing pleasure. I've also included a link to the page, so you can watch them all. Enjoy!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ALLNEWSUNNY#g/c/D435D9E6B54115D0" target="_blank">It's Always Sunny - Season 6 Trailers</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="295" style="background-image: url("http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/V6TXdldX7ws/hqdefault.jpg");" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V6TXdldX7ws?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V6TXdldX7ws?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from YouTube video at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/V6TXdldX7ws?fs=1&hl=en_US" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/V6TXdldX7ws?fs=1&hl=en_US</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-40977445698504127572010-09-06T15:32:00.002-04:002010-09-06T15:38:17.255-04:00Ontario Eco Fees FAIL to Divert Hazardous Materials from Landfills...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaRuyxFDYVU1MQd-Dc9-iDIl3so4760tI8wSzUPmoB-yWDlL93KrIvZgplOU47sSSIu9wotZYKEXqM2tRQVwiaEbopqVZhPTlQ_ALi-zXS8IfDCIfwFBy-0Apr90UX0DP59m6gJzD67yu/s1600/ElectronicWaste_by_Endlisnis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaRuyxFDYVU1MQd-Dc9-iDIl3so4760tI8wSzUPmoB-yWDlL93KrIvZgplOU47sSSIu9wotZYKEXqM2tRQVwiaEbopqVZhPTlQ_ALi-zXS8IfDCIfwFBy-0Apr90UX0DP59m6gJzD67yu/s640/ElectronicWaste_by_Endlisnis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You know, I've always been skeptical of all of these taxes/fees that we are dishing out, all in the name of the Environmental and Recycling initiatives.<br />
<br />
For some reason (hmm... I wonder why?...), I have no faith whatsoever in Dalton McGuinty when he talks about charging us fees to ensure that certain materials (Electronic and etc.) will be Recycled instead of ending up in the Dumps and Landfills with the rest of the garbage.<br />
<br />
Well, now that skepticism is being justified, as it is being confirmed that the majority of items which are suppose to be Recycled via the still existing Eco Fee-driven WEEE (The Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment) program, are still ending up in Landfills. <br />
<br />
Which leads us to the question, where is all of the Eco Fee revenue that the Ontario Tax Payers are being milked for, going? Well, it's probably going to the same place that the eHealth Billion dollars went (and you can ask George <i>Slitherman </i>all about that!).<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/09/05/15255251.html#/news/canada/2010/09/05/pf-15255251.html" target="_blank">Ontario waste program under attack</a><br />
<blockquote>The Ontario government is considering overhauling its television and electronic waste program after scathing complaints from industry stakeholders who contend that much of the material still ends up in the dump despite the eco fees charged to the public.<br />
<br />
The Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) program was the precursor to the ill-fated Stewardship Ontario eco fee plan that the government unveiled for thousands of additional consumer products in July.<br />
<br />
Following a strong public outcry, the government suspended the new eco fees for a 90-day review.<br />
<br />
However, consumers continue to pay WEEE fees on electronic items — $26.25 for a 29-inch or larger television, $12.25 for an 18 to 29-inch television, $5.40 for a printer/copier, $12.25 for a computer monitor, $0.40 for a computer mouse, $7.80 for a desktop computer, $1 for a phone or answering machine, $0.10 for a cellphone or pager and $9.95 for a home theatre in a box.<br />
<br />
Rob Cook, president of the Ontario Waste Management Association, wrote a strongly-worded letter to Wilkinson (Environment Minister John Wilkinson) earlier this month calling for both initiatives to go back to the drawing board.<br />
<br />
“Neither of these programs appear to be cost or environmentally effective,” Cook said in the Aug. 17 letter. “Neither has appreciably increased consumer convenience or incentives for returning designated wastes and there has been marginal or no improvements in diversion of a wide variety of designated materials.”<br />
<br />
The “overwhelming majority” of these items end up in landfill and there is little demand for the recovered material, he said.<br />
<br />
The programs charge fees to industries which manufacture toxic or recyclable products — supposedly to pay for initiatives to divert the material from landfill or to at least ensure it is less hazardous when trashed.</blockquote><br />
Here is a link to the actual letter that the President of the Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) sent to the Ontario Minister of the Environment (along with some choice excerpts):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.owma.org/db/db2file.asp?fileid=829" target="_blank">Rob Cook's Letter to Ontario Minister of the Environment</a><br />
<blockquote>As we have stated in past submissions, Industry Funding Organization (IFO) based waste diversion programs developed under the WDA simply externalize steward costs directly to consumers as “eco-fees”, externalize individual producer responsibility and liability to the IFO in question (an entity over which the Ontario Government has no direct control) and eliminates competition between stewards.<br />
<br />
But eco-fees are only one side of the anti-competitive coin with regard to stewardship monopolies – the other is the abuse of dominant position of IFOs with regard to businesses diverting waste on behalf of the stewards. Experience is growing in terms of the negative impacts of IFO activities and intrusions in the existing competitive marketplace for recycling servicing and the resultant constriction of 'green' investment and employment growth.<br />
<br />
That IFOs convened under the Waste Diversion Act remain sheltered from key provisions of the Competition Act that both protect consumers and prevent IFO anti-competitive abuses remains a key source of dysfunction with Stewardship Ontario’s MHSW program and Ontario Electronic Stewardship’s (OES) WEEE program.<br />
<br />
<b>Moreover neither of these programs appear to be cost or environmentally effective. Neither has appreciably increased consumer convenience or incentives for returning designated wastes and there has been marginal or no improvements in diversion of a wide variety of designated materials</b>. <b>The overwhelming majority of most designated wastes under these programs are still disposed of </b>and for material that is recovered, the economic incentives are insufficient to collect and process materials and to develop crucial end-markets. The ad hoc development of environmental standards for recycling service providers as reflected in program plans are minimal at best and are inconsistently or not applied by IFOs. Simply stated, consumers are not getting the environmental performance they expect when they pay eco-fees at retail.</blockquote><br />
I took a look around to find more information on the Ontario Electronic Stewardship and most specifically on the WEEE fees, and here is what I found in their FAQs:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=812689964160142293" target="_blank">Ontario Electronic Stewardship - Consumer FAQs</a><br />
<blockquote>1) What is WEEE?<br />
<br />
WEEE stands for “Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment,” as designated in Ontario Regulation 393/04. It is the informal name for the variety of electrical and electronic products that are no longer wanted by their owners. A variety of options exist for waste electronics, including reuse, refurbishment and recycling.<br />
<br />
3) Why has WEEE been centered out for a special diversion program?<br />
<br />
In Ontario, more than 91,000 tonnes of electrical and electronics equipment are available for reuse and recycling every year. About one-quarter of it is being managed properly. Under normal usage, unwanted electronics poses little or no hazards. However, many electronic products do contain materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury, that if not handled properly could have environmental impacts and cause health and safety concerns. Thus, the safe handling and proper management of WEEE at the end of its life is crucial. <b>The Minister of the Environment designated WEEE for a special diversion program to ensure that unwanted electronics are reused or recycled, and to stem the flow of these materials to landfill or improper processing in developing nations. </b><br />
<br />
14) Who is paying for this program?<br />
<br />
Companies that are brand owners, first importers into Ontario, and/or manufacturers of designated electrical and electronic equipment are obligated to cover 100% of the costs of the WEEE Program Plan in Ontario including collection, transporting and processing costs and provincial promotion and education campaign. These companies, called stewards, will remit fees based on the number of units of designated electrical and electronic equipment that they supply into Ontario.<br />
<br />
15) Who will run this new WEEE program?<br />
<br />
Companies that are brand owners, first importers into Ontario and manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment have formed an organization called Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES). OES is a non-profit body that will manage the collection of fees from the various companies obligated under this program and then use the fees to pay for the diversion program. This will include collection, transportation, consolidation, end-of-life management of WEEE that cannot be reused or recycled, public education and awareness, research and development, continuous improvements in technology and program execution. <br />
<br />
16) Can retailers / manufacturers of EEE charge consumers a fee when they purchase these products? <br />
<br />
The WEEE diversion program does not tell the companies that are obligated to pay fees on the designated products how to manage these costs. It is up to the individual companies and their retail customers to make their own decisions. Some companies will internalize the cost, while others may charge consumers an environmental handling fee at the point of purchase.<br />
<br />
21) Can retailers/manufacturers of EEE charge consumers a fee when they purchase these products?<br />
<br />
The WEEE diversion program does not tell the companies that are obligated to remit fees on the designated products how to manage these costs. It is up to the individual companies and their retail customers to make their own decisions. Some companies will internalize the cost, while others may charge consumers an environmental handling fee at the point of purchase.<br />
<br />
22) What will happen to the unwanted electronics collected through this program?<br />
<br />
WEEE collected under the program will be reused, refurbished for reuse, or recycled to recover valuable scrap materials (i.e. – metals and plastics). The exact destination for collected WEEE depends largely on where consumers choose to send their unwanted electronics. WEEE sent to a non-profit, reuse or refurbishment organization likely will result in a portion of electronic products being reused for a second life with a new consumer. WEEE that is too old, damaged, or that doesn’t have any reuse value will go to an end-of-life processor to ensure that any valuable material components are removed for recycling. A small portion of the remaining non-value scrap materials will be disposed properly. <br />
<br />
25) What does this program do for the environment?<br />
<br />
The WEEE program will encourage the diversion of more materials from disposal through the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle).<br />
<br />
The program will add to existing opportunities for Ontarians to take unwanted electronic products to places where they will be reused, refurbished for reuse, recycled for materials, or safely and properly disposed. Diverting these materials through the available 3Rs activities works towards sustainable development and reduces the environmental footprint of WEEE consumers.<br />
<br />
It will result in the recycling of components that are used to make WEEE products, reducing the amount of these materials that is disposed of in landfill sites.<br />
<br />
The WEEE program adds to the provincial government’s goal of continuous improvement in waste management systems, and will contribute to the Minister of the Environment’s overarching objective.</blockquote>If you ask me, the OES and the WEEE program have failed miserably... Much like the majority of all of the new taxes/fees and programs introduced by Dalton McGuinty's Ontario Government. I'm just counting the days until he and his entire Government end up in the landfills with the other hazardous materials after the election next year... That's one thing I would gladly pay an Eco Fee for to see. ;)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/endlisnis/210493241/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/endlisnis/210493241/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/endlisnis/" target="_blank">Endlisnis</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-25061436304917898992010-08-31T21:20:00.001-04:002010-08-31T23:39:45.403-04:002010 Mayor of Toronto Election - Official Candidates List & Websites<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAdNsiXeViyJxEwfKQ5o9W71ZrwIdtYq83siKvLeuEE7G4v4Y_Ub1BF4vWgIcYRlO9ms6Mf0ZGyE1LFxh3thwBpUiYvu0wHHwyYFvmahGqLRRI0uDXyidFczI8YC_l3FQrBPIuHWp8cOv/s1600/TorontoClouds_by_pauldexbudyatwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAdNsiXeViyJxEwfKQ5o9W71ZrwIdtYq83siKvLeuEE7G4v4Y_Ub1BF4vWgIcYRlO9ms6Mf0ZGyE1LFxh3thwBpUiYvu0wHHwyYFvmahGqLRRI0uDXyidFczI8YC_l3FQrBPIuHWp8cOv/s640/TorontoClouds_by_pauldexbudyatwork.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
(<i>I thought I would re-post an <b>updated version</b> of this list for those who are interested...</i>)<br />
<br />
As things heat up in the race for the next Mayor of Toronto, I'm sure people will be looking to review the latest list of Candidates and their platforms and etc.. So I took the liberty of looking that up for you all, and posting the links and information here.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Here's the link to the Official 2010 Candidates List for the next Mayor of Toronto:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://app.toronto.ca/vote2010/findByName.do?lastName=all" target="_blank">Toronto Votes 2010 Candidates - All Candidates</a><br />
<br />
Also, here is the list as of today, <i><b>August 31st 2010</b></i>, as per the City of Toronto link noted above. I did some looking around, and included the link to each of their Mayoral Candidate websites for your reference (<i>or links to any kind of informational website about them, if they didn't have an Official site</i>):<br />
<br />
<blockquote><b><u>Mayor</u></b> <br />
<a href="http://roccoformayor.com/" target="_blank">Achampong, Rocco</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.natparty.com/DA4mayor.htm" target="_blank">Andrews, Don</a><br />
<a href="http://parkdaleparty.com/" target="_blank">Babula, George</a> <br />
Ball, Christopher (<i>Website not available...</i>)<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Campbell_%28Ontario_politician%29" target="_blank">Campbell, Douglas</a> (<i>Wikipedia</i>)<br />
<a href="http://www.caldecast.com/" target="_blank">Castillo, Jaime</a> <br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Clarke_%28politician%29" target="_blank">Clarke, Kevin</a> (<i>Wikipedia</i>)<br />
<a href="http://keithcole.ca/" target="_blank">Cole, Keith</a> <br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/mayorcottle" target="_blank">Cottle, Charlene</a> (<i>Twitter</i>)<br />
<a href="http://selwynformayor.com/" target="_blank">Firth, Selwyn</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Flie-for-Mayor/129703023737061" target="_blank">Flie, Michael</a> (<i>Facebook</i>)<br />
<a href="http://www.robfordformayor.ca/" target="_blank">Ford, Rob</a> <br />
<a href="http://twishort.com/aaprf" target="_blank">Ghazi, Baquie</a> <br />
<a href="http://howardformayor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gomberg, Howard</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.goodheadformayor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Goodhead, Barry</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3UFDaABtE4" target="_blank">Hossain, Monowar</a> (<i>YouTube video</i>)<br />
<a href="http://leeformayor.webs.com/" target="_blank">Lee, Dewitt</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.supermagnetics.com/" target="_blank">Letonja, John</a><br />
Macklin, Carmen (<i>Website not available...</i>) <br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/MageeForMayor" target="_blank">Magee, Colin</a> (<i>Twitter</i>)<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_McMillan" target="_blank">McMillan, Jim</a> (<i>Wikipedia</i>)<br />
<a href="http://jpformayor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pampena, Joseph</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Pantalone-For-Mayor/253388131377" target="_blank">Pantalone, Joe</a> (<i>Facebook</i>)<br />
<a href="http://roccorossi.com/" target="_blank">Rossi, Rocco</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.georgesmitherman.ca/" target="_blank">Smitherman, George</a> <br />
<a href="http://mark-state.wetpaint.com/" target="_blank">State, Mark</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.tiborsteinberger.ca/" target="_blank">Steinberger, Tibor</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/HiMYSYeD" target="_blank">Syed, Himy</a> (<i>Twitter</i>)<br />
<a href="http://philtaylorformayor.com/" target="_blank">Taylor, Phil</a> <br />
<a href="http://sarahthomson.ca/" target="_blank">Thomson, Sarah</a><br />
<a href="http://www.provinceoftoronto.ca/" target="_blank">Vallance, David</a> <br />
<a href="http://wapedia.mobi/en/Toronto_municipal_election,_2006" target="_blank">Wadhwa, Ratan</a> (<i>Wapedia link with little info near bottom of page</i>)<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133417870022417" target="_blank">Walker, Daniel</a> (<i>Facebook</i>)<br />
<a href="http://www.sonnyyeung.com/" target="_blank">Yeung, Sonny</a></blockquote>Take a look and read about the Candidates before you make your decision. I'm not going to push for anyone or knock anyone... This post is about information only.<br />
<br />
If you want to know my opinions, look through my posts... I'm sure you'll notice right away who I'm considering.... And one more thing, don't listen to the newspapers! Lately I've been finding -especially with the Toronto Star (<i>yes, you Mr. Hepburn</i>), that they've already started choosing sides with complete and blatant bias. You should decide for yourself... Don't let them influence your decision.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image:</span></i><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/2721928484/sizes/o/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/2721928484/sizes/o/</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> by </span></i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">paul (dex) busy @ work</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> on flickr</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright: </span></i><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></i>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-54634569919743132632010-08-25T21:29:00.000-04:002010-08-25T21:29:22.279-04:00Brazilian Bush Fire Tornado YouTube Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVenDdeFLwCP6M_9bWDGgIDrtmmNkrw0LNNQlcyiZmsqPPiQ2zMGTt7VDqBAI3k1yJelcffsAaPujf4x6Bb8UNkR8qoH-bxJ4u8K7Qnp2uD9rb4pI8TT_BS-TuR2zPEwRBjULKwGFCOuj/s1600/FireTornadoBrazil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVenDdeFLwCP6M_9bWDGgIDrtmmNkrw0LNNQlcyiZmsqPPiQ2zMGTt7VDqBAI3k1yJelcffsAaPujf4x6Bb8UNkR8qoH-bxJ4u8K7Qnp2uD9rb4pI8TT_BS-TuR2zPEwRBjULKwGFCOuj/s640/FireTornadoBrazil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There was some video going around today of bush fires in Brazil turning into a Fire Tornado (or a "Fire Whirl").<br />
<br />
I found a clip on YouTube, so if you didn't see it, here you go:<br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CdaMBB62vrg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CdaMBB62vrg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
In case you were curious, here's some info from Wikipedia on Fire Whirls:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_tornado" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Fire Whirl (Fire Tornado)</a><br />
<blockquote>A fire whirl, colloquially fire devil or fire tornado, is a rare phenomenon in which a fire, under certain conditions (depending on air temperature and currents), acquires a vertical vorticity and forms a whirl, or a tornado-like vertically oriented rotating column of air. Fire whirls may be whirlwinds separated from the flames, either within the burn area or outside it, or a vortex of flame, itself.<br />
<br />
An extreme example is the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake in Japan which ignited a large city-sized firestorm and produced a gigantic fire whirl that killed 38,000 in fifteen minutes in the Hifukusho-Ato region of Tokyo.[1] Another example is the numerous large fire whirls (some tornadic) that developed after lightning struck an oil storage facility near San Luis Obispo, California on April 7, 1926, several of which produced significant structural damage well away from the fire, killing two. Thousands of whirlwinds were produced by the four-day-long firestorm coincident with conditions that produced severe thunderstorms, in which the larger fire whirls carried debris 5 kilometers (3 mi) away.[2]</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from Video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdaMBB62vrg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdaMBB62vrg</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/itnnews">itnnews</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-24141278897321683842010-08-24T12:28:00.001-04:002010-08-24T12:28:47.760-04:00Rob Ford Running Away with Toronto Mayoral Polls!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvyUG884aLHD2BaDy5EGWOYAMwVoBLYM7CuoQ5s0uHYAPhgXkK8M6hqeygfIi-8zk7wf4saK9HtUnXrvBoz8QVm3cR5vhlCYb-HoEGLDdDApNCDbo8FrqJr6m7-W0XSdl4iH53uA7LP8V/s1600/MayoralCandidates_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="434" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvyUG884aLHD2BaDy5EGWOYAMwVoBLYM7CuoQ5s0uHYAPhgXkK8M6hqeygfIi-8zk7wf4saK9HtUnXrvBoz8QVm3cR5vhlCYb-HoEGLDdDApNCDbo8FrqJr6m7-W0XSdl4iH53uA7LP8V/s640/MayoralCandidates_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Toronto's Superman, Rob Ford, seems to be pulling away from the rest of the Toronto Mayoral Candidates faster than a speeding bullet!<br />
<br />
The villains in this Mayoral Race have thrown everything they can at him, pulling all kinds of things from his past and misconstruing things from his present to try and manipulate Torontonians, but as stated in a previous post (<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/08/smithermans-desperate-political-games.html" target="_blank">Smitherman's Desperate Political Games Boring Toronto Voters</a>), trying to discredit Ford is like trying to discredit Superman... The people will just not go for it.<br />
<br />
The latest poll released by Ipsos-Reid (commissioned by NewsTalk 1010 and Global News) had the following results based on a phone survey of 400 people conducted this past weekend (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/23/15116321.html" target="_blank">Ford remains in lead</a>):<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote>Rob Ford 32%<br />
George Smitherman 21%<br />
Sarah Thomson 10%<br />
Joe Pantalone 9%<br />
Rocco Rossi 7%<br />
<br />
UNDECIDED 21%<br />
<br />
Margin of Error +/- 4.9%</blockquote>This means that of the decided voters, the following is the breakdown of the poll:<br />
<blockquote>Rob Ford 40.5%<br />
George Smitherman 26.6%<br />
Sarah Thomson 12.7%<br />
Joe Pantalone 11.4%<br />
Rocco Rossi 8.9%</blockquote>This is leaps and bounds ahead of where he was in the last poll conducted by CP24 (<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/latest-poll-rob-ford-takes-lead-in.html" target="_blank">Latest Poll: Rob Ford Takes The Lead In Toronto Mayoral Race</a>) which just for a refresher, had the following results:<br />
<blockquote>Rob Ford: 17.8%<br />
George Smitherman: 15.9%<br />
Joe Pantalone: 10.1%<br />
Rocco Rossi: 9%<br />
Sarah Thomson: 5.8%<br />
Giorgio Mammoliti: 2.5%<br />
<br />
UNDECIDED: 38.9%<br />
<br />
Margin of Error: +/-3.1%</blockquote>Now that the Mayoral Race is essentially decided, the one thing that Rob Ford supporters have to do is ensure that the rest of Toronto's City Council is cleaned up as well. Joe Pantalone, Kyle Rae and Adam Giambrone will all definitely be gone, so that's a great first step. Now the rest of the corrupt and elitist riffraff need to be dealt with as well. I'm talking about the Sandra Bussins, the Paula Fletchers, the Shelley Carrolls, the Adam Vaughns, the Saundercooks, and the De Baeremaekers all needing to be tossed into the trash. <br />
<br />
To get an idea of who needs to go, take a quick look at the following post: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/16-critical-toronto-city-council-votes.html" target="_blank">16 Critical Toronto City Council Votes, and How your Councillors Voted...</a> and see for yourself which Toronto City Councillors should go.<br />
<br />
Remember, electing the right Mayor for the taxpayer is the first step; the next is to ensure that the Mayor has the right support on Council.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662199704/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662199704/sizes/l/in/photostream/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-53765360917108103642010-08-18T01:34:00.001-04:002010-08-18T01:37:20.852-04:00Will Rob Ford's Immigration Stance Hurt His Mayoral Campaign?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxqVyUwtQNMBiAiy59ZRhT62JGAdPMLFz-PYPrUeTiNr0jUTiDysWJ_BYsh_JwITIBeUGIN-R-dpbLDH4ZjCrIJwft-Bzj98dMH8-ci2bg6K-SLeYzAOb7RUFEgvizJ9Y1_nKZLGuGgB8/s1600/RobFordTeam_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxqVyUwtQNMBiAiy59ZRhT62JGAdPMLFz-PYPrUeTiNr0jUTiDysWJ_BYsh_JwITIBeUGIN-R-dpbLDH4ZjCrIJwft-Bzj98dMH8-ci2bg6K-SLeYzAOb7RUFEgvizJ9Y1_nKZLGuGgB8/s640/RobFordTeam_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Wow, that 4th CP24 Toronto Mayoral Debate was an interesting one, especially for Rob Ford, and it left me (and I'm sure everyone else who watched it) with one burning question:<br />
<br />
In a city that celebrates diversity to the extent that Toronto does, will Rob Ford's comments on Immigration hurt him in this 2010 Toronto Mayoral Race?<br />
<br />
If you didn't catch Ford's comments in the CP24 Mayoral debate, the entire debate is available to watch for free on the CP24 - Mayoral Election 2010 - Your Vote website at the following link:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.cp24.com/election2010/" target="_blank">CP24 - Mayoral Election 2010 - Your Vote</a><br />
<br />
But, for those who want to know what happened now, I'll just cut-to-the-chase for you. <br />
<br />
The topic of the Tamil refugees came up, and when George Smitherman was given the opportunity, he immediately went after Rob Ford for a comment that he had made in the past on the subject. Here's what Smitherman said, and then Ford's now infamous comments:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>George Smitherman: I have to say I was very shocked when I saw Councillor Ford say that Toronto should be a "Refugee-Free Zone"...<br />
<br />
Rob Ford: The bottom line is, we can't even take care of our 2.5 Million people. People are complaining, there's 60,000 people waiting to get into housing, there's congestion on our streets, right now, we can't even deal with the 2.5 Million people in the city. I think it's more important that we take care of the people now, before we start bringing in more. There's going to be a million people, a million more people according to the official plan, which I did not support, over the next 10 years, coming into the city. We can't even deal with the 2.5 million people, so how are we going to welcome another million people in? It's going to be chaotic and we can't even deal with the chaos that we're dealing with now. I think we have to say, "enough's enough".</blockquote><br />
I'll be the first to admit, I cringed when Rob Ford said what he did in response to George Smitherman's accusation. And all of the Candidates jumped all over it, so much so to the point that Joe Pantalone and Sarah Thomson both actually almost tried to take the heat off of Ford, with Pantalone saying that he probably didn't mean it, and Thomson pushing the group to think about solutions, and stop focusing on Ford... Who'd a thought they'd bail on that golden opportunity...<br />
<br />
And was it just me, or did you also notice that they completely separated Joe Pantalone and Sarah Thomson, putting them at opposite diagonals of the table, instead of directly across each other?... I guess I wasn't the only person who felt awkward every time Pantalone would say something in previous debates, and Thomson would grab his arm to stop him from talking... Almost in the way that Gary Bettman does to Ron MacLean whenever he interviews him... I almost felt bad for Pantalone every time I saw that. It was almost like Thomson was bullying him because of his size...<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to the Debate and to Rob Ford's comments.<br />
<br />
Now, I see what Rob Ford was trying to say, how we already have issues in Toronto with the available services for the taxes we pay, so he questions how adding more people to the mix will help the situation. Especially when it comes to things like Traffic and etc. More people makes things more congested. I see that.<br />
<br />
But, as a Mayoral Candidate in Toronto, you have to know that a large number of the vote is coming from new Canadians, and the children of immigrants, and the grandchildren of immigrants, and really, the majority of Canadians are the children of immigrants in one way or another, so putting forth any kind of anti-refugee/immigrant stance is going to turn off a large segment of voters.<br />
<br />
Personally, I really do wonder about the impact that this statement will have on Ford's current support-base, and those who are still undecided.<br />
<br />
Ford did try later to elaborate further on his stance with the following comments:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>You know what, I stick by my words. I said we have over 2.5 million people living in the city now. And people call every day, "Rob, how are you going to deal with the traffic congestion? How can we deal with the homeless people laying on the streets? How can we create jobs in the city?" And now we're saying let's open the doors and have another million people. There's people saying, "no, we don't want any more people in the city". Let's take care of our 2.5 million people first. Once we get our finances in order, once we take care of them, then we can welcome more people. Right now, we're not in the fiscal shape, we're not in the social-sector shape to take care of anybody, any new people coming to this city right now.</blockquote><br />
So, what do you think? Has Rob Ford's comments impacted your choice for the next Mayor of Toronto? If you were a Ford supporter, has his stance on Immigration changed your mind? I'm sure the readers would love to know.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661579273/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661579273/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-8027973793053643562010-08-11T00:11:00.001-04:002010-08-11T00:12:34.277-04:00How Much It Costs To Be Considered "Rich"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfQz_cuWC7sXhz_Xoo1z5GzsMRfhqpG-9nH0VJYiWABvw36umQI9DToBrZ6CFvxh3BwTMbz4mHz218SHHWVWN76xPu2RV4p4LqhjF-qxMRWd1IJurLYw_md0pW1TohTpVvN3IaGbsJIRz/s1600/AmericanMoney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfQz_cuWC7sXhz_Xoo1z5GzsMRfhqpG-9nH0VJYiWABvw36umQI9DToBrZ6CFvxh3BwTMbz4mHz218SHHWVWN76xPu2RV4p4LqhjF-qxMRWd1IJurLYw_md0pW1TohTpVvN3IaGbsJIRz/s640/AmericanMoney.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Depending on where you live, and whether you want to be rich and still working, or rich and just relaxing, you're looking at needing to have between $2 Million to $12 Million in the bank collecting interest, and between $100,000 and $300,000 coming in annually to support your "rich" lifestyle.<br />
<br />
CNN Money had a great article the other day on how rich you have to be in order to be considered "rich" by Americans.<br />
<br />
Here's the story:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/09/news/economy/wealth/index.htm" target="_blank">How rich is rich?</a><br />
<blockquote>How much money do you need to feel rich?<br />
<br />
Wealth is a subjective concept, but one thing is universal in most definitions: being able to live a comfortable life without having to work.<br />
<br />
Does $250,000 make you rich?<br />
<br />
Experts peg the figure to be somewhere around $2 million to $12 million in savings.<br />
<br />
On the high end of that range, a single person living in an expensive part of the country (say, New York City), wanting to retire at 35 would need at least $300,000 a year to feel rich, according to Steven Kaye, president of Watchung, N.J.-based wealth management firm American Economic Planning Group. He based that number on real-life figures his clients tell him they need.<br />
<br />
A yearly income of $300,000 would allow for taxes, a $3,800-a-month apartment (the average price in Manhattan), and a monthly spending allowance of around twelve grand, he said. Not too bad, especially since you could do this all without a pesky job.<br />
<br />
To generate $300,000 a year beginning at age 35, you'd need a nest egg of just under $12 million. That assumes a conservative investment portfolio generating a return of 5% a year, an inflation rate of 2.5% a year and Social Security benefits of $25,000 a year starting at age 62.<br />
<br />
If you live in a low cost part of the country, $100,000 a year should be enough, said Kaye. In that case, you would need savings of about $4 million to retire at 35.<br />
<br />
But if you're willing to stay in the workforce until age 65, a mere $2 million would be enough.</blockquote><br />
Oh, what I'd do for a "mere $2 million"... Or $1 million. Or $100,000. Or really, even $5000. Maybe even $500. Ok, ok, even $50. Yes, I'm a whore... ;)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/argenberg/91885776/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/argenberg/91885776/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/argenberg/" target="_blank">Argenberg</a> on flickr <br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-38998687384977662332010-08-10T22:01:00.000-04:002010-08-10T22:01:38.307-04:00Smitherman's Desperate Political Games Boring Toronto Voters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZVilyTrr_I4bYNACRyx2fD8oW__e4vYeOudGTN1IZdj0Z4uGOudV9bhG0UrtVtPcLj6fCKu_Yh-1DfccYmzPsyciJYqWoUXAROIMNRFqpK1Wvvya44RL0h0VT8ams0ea8bp1VUGGZcOT/s1600/SmithermanFord.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZVilyTrr_I4bYNACRyx2fD8oW__e4vYeOudGTN1IZdj0Z4uGOudV9bhG0UrtVtPcLj6fCKu_Yh-1DfccYmzPsyciJYqWoUXAROIMNRFqpK1Wvvya44RL0h0VT8ams0ea8bp1VUGGZcOT/s640/SmithermanFord.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Poor George Smitherman... I actually feel for him. I mean, how do you take down Toronto's Superman, Rob Ford? How do you discredit Superman??! Well, if anyone could pull off the Lex Luthoresque task of trying to do so, it would be Furious George Smitherman.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Sadly for George though, no matter what schemes Lex Luthor came up with to take down Superman and destroy Metropolis, the people always knew that Superman would save them and destroy Luthor's plans. And he always did.<br />
<br />
Smitherman's been throwing everything he can think of at Ford, but it just seems to make Ford's following even stronger. Maybe it's because Smitherman's history with eHealth just trumps anything that any other candidate has ever done, and only further fuels the hatred towards him, and the love towards Ford. Or maybe it's the fact that trying to discredit Ford, really is like trying to discredit Superman. The people just won't go for it. It only angers them.<br />
<br />
Another factor may be that George's attempts at ridiculing Ford only make him appear to be ignorant about Toronto. For example, Smitherman has been taking a stab at Ford stating that he only works part-time as a Councillor, as he holds a CFO position at his family's company as well. If Smitherman only knew that Torontonians from across the city in all Wards (with their own Councillors) call Rob Ford for help because their own Councillors don't answer their calls, he wouldn't even make the lame attempt at trying to discount Ford's work eithic when it comes to his public office. <br />
<br />
This fact is almost like general knowledge for Torontonians, especially the ones who are actively in communication with their Municipal Government. When Rob Ford says that he personally takes a million calls himself per day, it may not be a million, but it might as well be. He is always taking calls trying to help Torontonians. Torontonians know that, and that's why they believe in him. <br />
<br />
There was even a vote in Council where they tried to keep Ford from talking about his involvement in other Councillors' Wards (<a href="http://robford.ca/councilvotes.asp" target="_blank">Toronto Council Vote Results</a>):<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Feb-10 Do not let Councillor Ford speak about involvement in other Councillors' Wards<br />
<br />
YES - 17<br />
NO - 11<br />
ABSENT - 17</blockquote><br />
They voted to not allow Ford to talk about it!! I mean, how can they possibly allow Ford to describe how they've failed their constituents, and how he's had to step in to save the day? But like Superman, Ford isn't in it for the glory. He's in it for the people. He still helps every Torontonian who contacts him.<br />
<br />
You see, George Smitherman is dealing with a new type of voter this year in Toronto. Torontonians have had it with the reckless and wasteful spending down at City Hall, and those old school political games that usually work, just don't seem to be working this time. Torontonians are just bored of the crap. And when we start to smell it coming from the candidates, it just burns us as you're just wasting our time.<br />
<br />
Here's some advice George, do your homework first before making your accusations. You can't lie about facts. Instead, take a smarter approach, and show us why you have the best plan. Why your platform is better than Rob Ford's. Stop defending the McGuinty Provincial Government, and start defending Toronto!! Tell us how you'll work with McGuinty to get Toronto more funding. <i>Ahhh, yes. You see.</i> I'm not saying that Torontonians would believe even one word that you say, and any that would clearly are insane as how does that quote from Einstein go, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". But at least you won't come off looking ignorant about Toronto, and you won't continue making it seem like you think Torontonians are idiots.<br />
<br />
And just to add one more thing, Smitherman's, Thomson's and Rossi's claims that Ford too is responsible for the wasteful spending down at City Hall, as though he always voted against the spending, he could not win over any of the other Councillors. This really made me smile, I have to say. Ford votes against the spending, and then you go after him anyway? <i>Look at these Mayoral Candidates trying to get all politically savvy</i>! :)<br />
<br />
What does it tell you when votes end up 44 to 1, with Ford being the only person standing up for Torontonians? Does 44 to 1 sound like people who could be convinced of anything? Again, what a savvy way to twist an honourable thing that Ford did into something negative. When we saw them perform this attack during the third Toronto Mayoral Debate on CP24, Ford was so shocked at how uninformed the other Candidates were about the subject, that he couldn't help but laugh. It inevitably ended up with all of Thomson, Rossi and Smitherman being lashed by Ford for having absolutely no Political Experience whatsoever in Toronto Municipal Politics. <br />
<br />
Interestingly, Joe Pantalone was very quiet when all of this was happening. <i>Why, you ask? Because Shady Joe knows...</i><br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: A chicken suit?? Really, George Smitherman? In one of the most desperate attempts to claw back into the Mayoral Race, George Smitherman tried to get Rob Ford to debate him one-on-one on the radio. Now let me ask you this, why should Rob Ford give Smitherman any kind of chance to get back into the race from the current demise his campaign is in? And Ford without hesitation accepted the challenge, only to dismiss it later, probably after realizing that having a debate where George says something, and Ford responds "eHealth" to every question and winning, really would just be waste of time for Torontonians. Entertaining, but wasteful. Personally, I would have accepted on the condition that George make a donation to Ford's campaign. He probably would have done it too... Poor, poor George Smitherman. I mean, do we really want a leader who still calls people "chicken" in this day and age? Yikes...<br />
<br />
PPS: As you can see, jackandcokewithalime is not dead (for those readers who've emailed to ask!). I, like all of you I'm sure, have been so extremely swamped with work and personal stuff that I just haven't had time to finish any posts. Yes, I said "finish". I have 25 partial posts sitting on my machine, almost one from every day. Hopefully they'll be popping up soon. For now, I'll just thank you for your continued readership. I see you checking in every now and then, and I appreciate it. Cheers!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661578547/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661578547/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr (Smitherman)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662198802/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662198802/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr (Ford)<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-92002250232366920772010-07-21T00:17:00.001-04:002010-07-21T00:18:39.789-04:00JandCwithalime Tweet Featured on CP24 Toronto Mayoral Debate #3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE66DGv5CaKQssRKS6FFjYFmgDj3oR9SyFgyE4xyzIR54B-jp1NlUuXb5OmE9hZJA1dtV01CV3k5xWJROUtaS_qjC8JLEux-Mts-3go5enrQXv_EvZnQYnZ3bsgxoSmAXI8Nt5rRX_ojHV/s1600/CP24TV-JandCwithalime-Stacked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE66DGv5CaKQssRKS6FFjYFmgDj3oR9SyFgyE4xyzIR54B-jp1NlUuXb5OmE9hZJA1dtV01CV3k5xWJROUtaS_qjC8JLEux-Mts-3go5enrQXv_EvZnQYnZ3bsgxoSmAXI8Nt5rRX_ojHV/s640/CP24TV-JandCwithalime-Stacked.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br />
In Tonight's CP24 Toronto Mayoral Debate #3, as a part of the "Rapid Fire" segment, a <a href="http://twitter.com/JandCwithalime/status/19031215593" target="_blank">JandCwithalime Tweet</a> Question for the Candidates was featured at about 8:51pm!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/JandCwithalime" target="_blank">JandCwithalime</a> is the official twitter account of jackandcokewithalime.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
2 JandCwithalime tweets were actually directed at CP24 tonight:<br />
<br />
#CP24mayor Question for Candidates: Will it cost Torontonians MORE or LESS Financially to live in Toronto while you are Mayor?<br />
<br />
#CP24mayor Question for Candidates: How would you Balance the Budget without increasing Taxes or Fees on Torontonians? <br />
<br />
The first of the two above was selected.<br />
<br />
To view the CP24 Mayoral Debate #3 video, visit the CP24 Your Vote website at <a href="http://www.cp24.com/election2010/" target="_blank">CP24 - Your Vote</a>.<br />
<br />
The question was directed by the moderator to Rocco Rossi, and he had the following response:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>My goal is to control the spending. If we don't do that, we can't control the taxes. And unfortunately we've been put into a bind, so I've called for a hiring freeze, an elimination of our debt, the development of a multi-year plan because these guys are still planning a $9.2 Billion budget one year at a time -it's ridiculous! <br />
<br />
And we have to take on the Unions, the balance of power has come totally out of whack. And if we don't stand up for the citizens, we may have a fair wage policy, but we're not going to have a fair value policy for the Citizens of Toronto. And that's what tax payers are looking for! Not nickels and dimes on expense accounts, but the big money, and the big money is in the $4.6 Billion of Salaries and Wages at the city.</blockquote><br />
Ideally it would have been great if all of the Candidates could have been asked that question, but just having it asked was an honour.<br />
<br />
Thanks CP24, and thank you Rocco Rossi for your answer!<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime <br />
<br />
PS: Do you feel that Rocco Rossi answered the question? Let's hear your thoughts...<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture taken of TV showing <a href="http://twitter.com/JandCwithalime/status/19031215593" target="_blank">JandCwithalime tweet</a> featured on CP24 Toronto Mayoral Debate #3. Video also available at: <a href="http://www.cp24.com/election2010/" target="_blank">CP24 - Your Vote</a> (Mayoral debate, Part 4, July 20))</span></i>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-80400499280087063832010-07-20T19:12:00.000-04:002010-07-20T19:12:45.805-04:00Canadian Tire Issuing Eco Fee Refunds!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-Ry532-SzbuL5PuvJvAnPtY9X_yWAnIYSsQpj2SDAlH84SsWAixc2eCxCpTWPslPXXVDlpwX-0zqXV_zocy94hyZeHHfotsgc0THEWpZl5rF4LlO9qY8I9f2PxJ3nRksh-P36bjdo76B/s1600/CanadianTire_by_CindyFunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-Ry532-SzbuL5PuvJvAnPtY9X_yWAnIYSsQpj2SDAlH84SsWAixc2eCxCpTWPslPXXVDlpwX-0zqXV_zocy94hyZeHHfotsgc0THEWpZl5rF4LlO9qY8I9f2PxJ3nRksh-P36bjdo76B/s640/CanadianTire_by_CindyFunk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you made any purchases at Canadian Tire after July 1st which had the new -and now scrapped- Eco Fees applied, Canadian Tire is now issuing refunds for those Eco Fees if you bring in the receipt.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/837836--ontario-scraps-controversial-eco-fees?bn=1" target="_blank">Ontario scraps controversial eco fees</a><br />
<blockquote>Ontario’s controversial eco fees have been scrapped for 90 days while the program is retooled—and taxpayers will pick up the $5 million over the next three months to keep the program going, Environment Minister John Gerretsen said Tuesday.<br />
<br />
“These new eco fees are gone.”<br />
<br />
Canadian Tire said immediately after Gerretsen's announcement that it will refund any eco-fees paid on the items covered in the program since July 1st if they bring in their receipts.</blockquote><br />
Go get your money back, people! If not for the money, then do it just for the principle of it.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindyfunk/2767503798/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindyfunk/2767503798/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindyfunk/" target="_blank">Cindy Funk</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-68486992011847608862010-07-20T01:04:00.000-04:002010-07-20T01:04:48.614-04:00Eco Fees Trashed! Another McGuinty Government Fiasco...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtoL1hbvP-MEy88IZDmjrQqwZBUxbS8nL0QlN_y02VXzq5Ch4DWDldSZ61EMr4NEFOSEwTP43x68B1xu0rhb2XTXTPu71c_C7RckXrUbAf_r1wx-tVlhjnEziwfkiSBcPMbLFMFydkqJB/s1600/TorontoRecyclingBinsRecycled_by_jbcurio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtoL1hbvP-MEy88IZDmjrQqwZBUxbS8nL0QlN_y02VXzq5Ch4DWDldSZ61EMr4NEFOSEwTP43x68B1xu0rhb2XTXTPu71c_C7RckXrUbAf_r1wx-tVlhjnEziwfkiSBcPMbLFMFydkqJB/s640/TorontoRecyclingBinsRecycled_by_jbcurio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It looks like the Eco Fees are being tossed in the trash! Yet another shameful disaster led by our beloved McGuinty Government...<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/07/19/14758911.html" target="_blank">Grits backtrack on eco fees</a><br />
<blockquote>The new eco fees are being dumped.<br />
<br />
Environment Minister John Gerretsen is expected to announce the change Tuesday morning, reversing course after two weeks of controversy.<br />
<br />
“The waste diversion program will continue, however, the government will be looking at solutions to the concerns heard from Ontarians about the program that would ensure household hazardous waste continues to be diverted from our landfills, while ensuring that Ontario consumers are protected,” a government source says.<br />
<br />
This is yet another major step down for the Liberal government, which has had to backtrack on the sex-ed curriculum and the leveraging of major public assets through SuperCorp.<br />
<br />
They are also still dealing with the fallout from record deficits and the HST.<br />
<br />
Earlier on Monday, Canadian Tire said it would stop charging the new eco-fees starting Tuesday over concerns about the “botched roll-out” of the program.<br />
<br />
Mike Arnett, president of Canadian Tire Retail, said in a news release that Waste Diversion Ontario set up a very complicated system based on materials — instead of products — so that two very similar products may have different eco fees.<br />
<br />
“Even more confusing, the interpretation of these fees is left up to each retailer, meaning that five different retailers may charge five different eco fees for the exact same product, all depending on how they interpret the very complicated fee structure,” he said.<br />
<br />
Stewardship Ontario is independent body set up by the Ontario government to deal with waste that should be diverted and recycled, or treated before going into a landfill site.<br />
<br />
The program began charging fees for nine designated materials, such as paint, in 2008, but ramped it up to 22 materials on July 1, the same day the government brought in the harmonized sales tax.</blockquote><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/3955392829/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/3955392829/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/" target="_blank">jbcurio</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-31662170942174474662010-07-18T14:00:00.001-04:002010-07-18T13:58:38.314-04:00AMC's Mad Men is back for Season 4 on July 25th!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJeg_Rxk62q_9hE1DMWuxOuoTtXzXaKLRfMzMoDq-HvLTtIKqyGu3XYVLBBMPUXIZEk47EX2epr7c6K-OiUl2nDB7Y4Dl7UOMuKFySGF92wZORRsi4ei2qk_EJbvgnntxC-1-jXThk5Pt/s1600/AMC_MadMen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJeg_Rxk62q_9hE1DMWuxOuoTtXzXaKLRfMzMoDq-HvLTtIKqyGu3XYVLBBMPUXIZEk47EX2epr7c6K-OiUl2nDB7Y4Dl7UOMuKFySGF92wZORRsi4ei2qk_EJbvgnntxC-1-jXThk5Pt/s640/AMC_MadMen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
AMC's Mad Men, definitely one of the best shows on TV, will be back for Season 4 on July 25th at 10pm EST.<br />
<br />
For more information, please visit the Official AMC Mad Men website at:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/" target="_blank">AMC's Mad Men</a><br />
<br />
If you haven't watched Mad Men yet, you definitely have to watch it! Go out there and watch the first 3 seasons before it starts. Believe me, you will fly through them in no time. The show is just so addictive...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwintin/3987950371/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwintin/3987950371/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwintin/" target="_blank">Kwintin</a> on flickr<br />
Copyright: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/</a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-83559505923930788582010-07-18T13:44:00.001-04:002010-08-31T18:42:18.657-04:00Toronto Councillor Paula Fletcher's Tyranny in Ward 30 Must End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4j13h138YsLk0jtSMVj4095snygEqkxe2aXb5aXwF6oRHUPmbZsaGDAhyoKIBwpurcXkREp3ZDrdUZcqDJwqG4DQZlKHiKd5k95svqY9DJH957BXICx9ALDCPzTp98w-Bhxrf_ddcGEf/s1600/PaulaFletcher_from_YouTube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4j13h138YsLk0jtSMVj4095snygEqkxe2aXb5aXwF6oRHUPmbZsaGDAhyoKIBwpurcXkREp3ZDrdUZcqDJwqG4DQZlKHiKd5k95svqY9DJH957BXICx9ALDCPzTp98w-Bhxrf_ddcGEf/s640/PaulaFletcher_from_YouTube.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
One of the worst City Councillors Toronto has ever had, former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Fletcher" target="_blank">Communist Party Leader Paula Fletcher</a>, is again running for City Councillor in Toronto's Ward 30, and this year couldn't be a better time to toss that arrogant and elitist piece of trash into the garbage.<br />
<br />
For those of you who don't recall Fletcher's disgraced and shameful infamous berating of poor innocent Torontonian John Smith during his deputation in regards to the latest Toronto Budget, here's the story: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/03/communist-toronto-city-councillor-paula.html" target="_blank">Communist Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher Disgraces Herself at Budget Meeting</a>, and here's a video of the altercation on YouTube:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div align="center"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q4q4EIegpdg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q4q4EIegpdg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><br />
Now, if Fletcher's mistreatment of concerned Torontonians isn't enough to convince you to kick her to the curb this year, I've also pulled together some of Fletcher's Voting History (the more important votes) while on the Toronto City Council, so I'll let you decide if she truly is representing your values while voting on your behalf:<br />
<br />
Jan-10 Do you agree to give Councillors a pay raise in 2010? <b style="color: blue;"> ABSENT</b><br />
Jan-10 Do you agree that 1,254 City employees should be able to spend $9 million in 2009 with Tax Payer-funded Master Cards when the City does Not have a list of cardholders Nor review the purchases? <b style="color: blue;">ABSENT</b><br />
Dec-09 Do you support public disclosure of all contribution amounts over $25 (eligible for a tax receipt)? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b><br />
Aug-09 Should EMS (Ambulance) be an essential service? <b><span style="color: blue;"> ABSENT</span></b><br />
Aug-09 Should daycare be an essential service?<b><span style="color: blue;"> ABSENT</span></b> <br />
Aug-09 Should garbage collection be an essential service?<b><span style="color: blue;"> ABSENT</span></b> <br />
Jul-09 Do you agree with the settlement between David Miller and the unions, local 416 & local 79, which gives them pay increases in each of the next three years and allows current employees to continue to bank 18 sick days a year? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b><br />
May-09 Do you agree with spending $6 million to remove one lane on Jarvis St. and replacing it with bike lanes? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b><br />
Apr-09 Do you believe that City employees should receive the same pay increase, regardless of whether they are union or Non-union?<b style="color: blue;"> NO</b> <br />
Mar-09 Do you want to reduce the Mayor's office budget to $2.4 million, for savings of $200,000?<b style="color: blue;"> NO</b> <br />
Mar-09 Do you support reducing the Councillors' Global budget to $30,000 for savings of apprx. $1 million? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b><br />
Jan-09 Vote to deal with Councillors' pay increase immediately?<b><span style="color: blue;"> ABSENT</span></b> <br />
Dec-08 Do not spend $2 million on renovating on offices at City Hall, including the Mayor's.<b style="color: blue;"> NO</b> <br />
Dec-08 Should the Province of Ontario ban plastic bags for all businesses? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Dec-08 Should the City of Toronto ban plastic bags for all businesses? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Dec-08 The City should not ban bottled water or charge five cents for each plastic bag. <b style="color: blue;">NO</b><br />
Oct-08 Do you agree with eliminating free Toronto Blue Jay baseball tickets for Councillors for savings of $100,000?<b><span style="color: blue;"> ABSENT</span></b> <br />
Oct-08 Do you support making the TTC an essential service? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b><br />
Jun-08 Do not have the Ontario Fire Marshall investigate whether St. Clair right of way is safe for emergency vehicles. <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Apr-08 Should we have public consultation meetings to give the Mayor more power? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Mar-08 Should we increase taxes 3.75% in 2008? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Mar-08 Should ice hockey rates be restricted to a 3% increase? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Mar-08 Do you want to close 41 ice rinks during March Break?<b><span style="color: blue;"> ABSENT</span></b> <br />
Mar-08 Are you in favour of naming new streets after soldiers killed in Afghanistan? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Mar-08 Do you support reducing council from 44 to 22? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Oct-07 Vote in favour of $60 Car Registration tax? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Oct-07 Vote in favour of Land Transfer tax? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Oct-07 Vote to exempt Seniors with a permanent handicap from the Vehicle Registration tax? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Oct-07 Vote to allow a question on the ballot in the next Municipal election in 2010 asking if the public wants the Land Transfer and Car Registration taxes? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Jun-07 Vote to hire someone to go into crackhouses to talk to crack users; Vote to home delivery of needles and crack kits? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Jun-07 Vote in favour of garbage tax? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Jun-07 Vote to hold public meetings about garbage tax? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Apr-07 Vote to increase property taxes by 3.8% or $40 million? <b style="color: blue;">YES</b> <br />
Apr-07 Vote to eliminate free parking anywhere in Toronto for members of Council for savings of $10,000.00? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Apr-07 Vote to eliminate free TTC passes for members of Council for savings of $54,000.00? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Apr-07 Vote to eliminate giving free cigarettes to homeless people for savings of $20,000.00? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
Apr-07 Vote to eliminate giving alcohol to homeless people for savings of $60,000.00? <b style="color: blue;">NO</b> <br />
<br />
From what I can see, whenever there is a Critical Controversial Topic, Paula Fletcher typically seems to be <b style="color: blue;">ABSENT </b>for the vote... Also, Paula has shown that she is always in favour of raising and creating New Taxes and Fees for Torontonians, and is always against Public Consultation. This isn't opinion folks, this is fact based on her Toronto City Council Voting History. Unfortunately for Fletcher, you can't argue with facts.<br />
<br />
So, based on all of this, how does Fletcher continue to get re-elected at the end of every term? Well, it's very simple, and was covered in an article in the Toronto Sun today. #1, it's because of name recognition (people tend to vote for the name the recognize, if you haven't seen that movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104114/" target="_blank">The Distinguished Gentlemen</a> with Eddie Murphy, it's worth a watch). #2, and most importantly, it's because she's married to John Cartwright, president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council. If you were wondering if she had any reason for her bias towards Unions, then now you know why.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2010/07/16/14738766.html" target="_blank">Free ride for councillors: Levy</a><br />
<blockquote>Langley Ave. residents just got a pamphlet from their local councillor, the irrepressible communist Paula Fletcher, saying she’s created seven new parking spots on his street.<br />
<br />
“I have never seen anything like this before from her ... it must be an election year,” one resident wrote me last week.<br />
<br />
He hopes maybe she’s really “blown it this time” — referring to the Ward 30 councillor’s rude and overbearing tirade in March at John Smith, who had the nerve (in her mind) to come to City Hall to criticize this year’s budget.<br />
<br />
But unless things change between now and Sept. 10 (the last day to register), Fletcher and nine others appear to be getting a free ride in this election — not running unchallenged, but without a high-profile challenger — even though none of them deserve it.<br />
<br />
Problem is, while well-meaning citizens may sign up to run against the likes of Fletcher, it usually takes someone with a high profile to knock off long-standing incumbents.<br />
<br />
Incumbents have the name recognition, the pool of union labour to man their campaigns (Fletcher’s married to John Cartwright, president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council) and the $50,000 office budgets they can use to promote themselves until this year’s Sept. 6 cut-off date.</blockquote><br />
This year in Ward 30, there are 5 other candidates currently who are running for City Council, they are Mark Dewdney, Andrew James, Angie Tingas, Gary Walsh and Liz West. Below are the links to each of their official websites:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://markdewdney.com/index.html" target="_blank">Mark Dewdney</a><br />
<a href="http://jamesinward30.com/" target="_blank">Andrew James</a><br />
<a href="http://runningfor30.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Angie Tingas</a><br />
Gary Walsh (website not available...)<br />
<a href="http://www.lizwest.ca/" target="_blank">Liz West</a><br />
<br />
Electing any of these 5 candidates over Paula Fletcher would be a refreshing change to Toronto, and specifically to Ward 30, a change that is desperately needed.<br />
<br />
Check out their websites and their platforms, and see which candidate would be better for you going forward.<br />
<br />
You've now seen the facts, you've seen the alternatives, so I'll leave the rest to you. Ward 30, we need you to do the right thing this year and expel Fletcher from having any decision-making power in Toronto. It's time for her to go.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4q4EIegpdg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4q4EIegpdg</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-80805972489394950692010-07-17T14:39:00.001-04:002010-07-17T14:41:48.582-04:00McGuinty Pushing All Ontario Ministries to Add More Fees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oGXndVpXJuDAVYenCDIt4l-kpJfD3O26dqtaYqQVBGsctvIYNMaeJRvQVKIYel0-3dEtVHaV5Dna8686NEIhilEXFyKCjJmFVD-0Xnie_4_1k2A4tF5tiQzMUSNw3oOrYTDgnKICV9LP/s1600/DaltonMcGuinty_by_JoshuaSherukij.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oGXndVpXJuDAVYenCDIt4l-kpJfD3O26dqtaYqQVBGsctvIYNMaeJRvQVKIYel0-3dEtVHaV5Dna8686NEIhilEXFyKCjJmFVD-0Xnie_4_1k2A4tF5tiQzMUSNw3oOrYTDgnKICV9LP/s640/DaltonMcGuinty_by_JoshuaSherukij.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you thought the HST and the new Eco-Fee were enough New Taxes and Fees already, wait till you hear what Dalton McGuinty has in store for Ontarians next...<br />
<br />
A new "Results-Based Planning document" released by the McGuinty Government is urging all Provincial Ministries to create new fees or enhance existing fees to increase revenue to stay on budget.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/07/16/14742026.html" target="_blank">McGuinty government urges new fees</a><br />
<blockquote>Eco fees may be just the beginning.<br />
<br />
The Dalton McGuinty government has encouraged its ministries to pursue new cost-recovery fees to stay on budget and to pay for additional programs, according to a 2010-11 Results-Based Planning document obtained by the Sun.<br />
<br />
“Non-tax revenues (NTRs) offer an opportunity to ensure fiscal neutrality of ministry expenditure proposals,” the document says. “If applicable, ministries are encouraged to propose new revenue streams to offset increased expenditures if there are no large-scale investments required, or to increase existing fees to achieve full cost recovery.”<br />
<br />
The “Other Revenue Technical Guide” reminds ministry budget crunchers that they have “an opportunity to make requests for establishing new revenue streams and/or significant redesigns to existing fees which could be considered if they assist ministries in living within their current multi-year minuted allocation.”<br />
<br />
Ministries were also told the public should be charged a “premium” for using electronic kiosks instead of traditional over-the-counter service, even though it would appear to reduce the need for costly staff.<br />
<br />
“Particular electronic service delivery channels, such as kiosks, are considered a premium service for which an additional amount is charged to acknowledge the cost of this service above the normal delivery standard,” a guide says.<br />
<br />
“This may result in the total fee charged being higher than the fee to deliver the same service over the counter.”<br />
<br />
Finn Poschmann, of the C.D. Howe Institute, who co-authored a report arguing the Ontario Green Energy fee that took effect this spring is likely an indirect tax, said governments’ post-stimulus spending will be looking at unobtrusive and uncontroversial ways to raise resources outside the traditional tax increase.<br />
<br />
“You better believe they’re looking at fees in different jurisdictions — health fees and all kinds of things, environmental fees — just ways to raise money to do their business,” Poschmann said. “You’ve got to do it constitutional, legally, otherwise voters lose control over their governments.”</blockquote><br />
Well, you elected him twice. You did nothing about the HST. And you are doing nothing about the Eco Fee. When Criminals are presented with naive, gullible and passive suckers, they shine and perform at their best.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Criminals, a new controversy with the McGuinty Government over Corruption yet again has come up today.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/837058--opp-probes-ministry-staff" target="_blank">OPP probes ministry staff</a><br />
<blockquote>Staff in some provincial government ministries are under criminal investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police, the Star has learned. The probe is examining business dealings with private-sector firms.<br />
<br />
The OPP confirmed Friday that the force’s anti-rackets branch is conducting the investigation.<br />
<br />
“There is an ongoing investigation into irregular transactions between government ministries and outside vendors,” said Linda Cranney, a member of the OPP’s media relations staff, who declined to provide any other details about the nature of the investigation.<br />
<br />
However, sources say personnel from the OPP’s anti-rackets branch executed search warrants and raided government ministries in the Macdonald Block near the Ontario Legislature on Thursday.<br />
<br />
That block contains offices for numerous ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and Ontario Realty Corp., the government’s real estate arm.<br />
<br />
Last year, an Ontario judge found a Vaughan landscape contractor and two partners guilty of corruption and liable for more than $3 million plus interest in a nine-year civil case. It involved the manipulation of bids for an environmental cleanup contract and three land sales with Ontario Realty Corp. staff during the late 1990s.<br />
<br />
The government had initially sued more than 45 individuals and companies, including several ORC employees, for about $48 million for their roles in alleged bid-rigging, accepting kickbacks, breach of trust, forgery and fraud.<br />
<br />
In that scandal, two government employees pleaded guilty to accepting kickbacks or secret commissions totalling more than $85,000 and repaid the money. One of the employees had buried the money in his backyard for safekeeping.<br />
<br />
The operator of the outside firm pleaded guilty to bribery and bid-rigging and was ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution.<br />
<br />
Serious questions about selling and operational practices surfaced at Ontario Realty in the late 1990s after the agency was dramatically downsized to cut costs. At that time, the agency increased its use of outside contractors and launched a major selling program to generate extra government revenues.</blockquote><br />
Ever since day one of Dalton McGuinty's reign as Premier of Ontario, his government has been guilty of Corruption and waste in every single department. And what's the cost of this constant Corruption and Waste? New Taxes and Fees for us Ontarian Tax Payers... It will never be enough. Never.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/9/9e/20100115034403%21Dalton_McGuinty_2007.JPG" target="_blank">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/9/9e/20100115034403!Dalton_McGuinty_2007.JPG</a> by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sherurcij" target="_blank">Joshua Sherurcij</a> on Wikipedia)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-66267527134111360312010-07-16T22:39:00.000-04:002010-07-16T22:39:01.699-04:00Leave the Ontario Place Cinesphere Alone!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMI0_ZdzqKj64If5TjY5OGb6nnz1pyo9etLOJ79K6szRxS0DVAndTygcrFtq_PdwFTg9TVwa8e0F8q5J2pXOU35u14K0BIKbvLmp2msoX2_X3NZlSZbscD0VKxpfqK9g5_OSVNtXx_xyO/s1600/OntarioPlaceCinesphere_by_alexindigo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMI0_ZdzqKj64If5TjY5OGb6nnz1pyo9etLOJ79K6szRxS0DVAndTygcrFtq_PdwFTg9TVwa8e0F8q5J2pXOU35u14K0BIKbvLmp2msoX2_X3NZlSZbscD0VKxpfqK9g5_OSVNtXx_xyO/s640/OntarioPlaceCinesphere_by_alexindigo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The Ontario Place Corporation, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, issued a Request for Information (RFI) yesterday to the private sector for proposals for the redevelopment of the 96-acre Toronto waterfront amusement park.<br />
<br />
Revitalization is great, but the problem with the RFI is that it doesn't have any requirements to keep the existing structures, like the Ontario Place Cinesphere. And for something that is so iconic to Toronto and Ontario, losing the Cinesphere would be a tragedy.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Here's a link to the Official Request for Information Press Release: <a href="http://www.ontarioplace.com/en/rfi/pdf/Ontario_Place_RFI_NEWS_RELEASE.pdf" target="_blank">Ontario Place Seeks Innovative Ideas For Revitalization</a>. And here's a link to the RFI page on the Ontario Place website: <a href="http://www.ontarioplace.com/en/rfi/index.html" target="_blank">Ontario Place RFI: Ontario Place Seeks Innovative Ideas For Revitalization</a>.<br />
<br />
Toronto Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Candidate Joe Pantalone agrees and knows that Torontonians would fight to keep the Cinesphere.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Keep%20Ontario%20Place%20Cinesphere:%20Councillor" target="_blank">http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/07/16/14740581.html#/news/torontoandgta/2010/07/16/pf-14740581.html</a><br />
<blockquote>Torontonians would fight to keep the giant, iconic Cinesphere at Ontario Place, mayoral candidate Councillor Joe Pantalone says.<br />
<br />
While he welcomes an Ontario Place revitalization effort, Pantalone said Friday that heritage elements like the Cinesphere and pods should not be bulldozed.<br />
<br />
“It’s totally wrong to contemplate demolishing it,” he said. “The architectural community of this city, the people who love the public realm in this city, rightly would not tolerate that and I, as a local councillor of the area, would definitely not support it, and as a mayor of Toronto, I would definitely oppose demolition.”<br />
<br />
The province is suggesting that the new Ontario Place incorporate education, recreation, dining and entertainment elements as well as green energy, but there are no requirements that any existing structures remain on site.<br />
<br />
Pantalone said reinvestment in Ontario Place is long overdue, as the attraction has been in decline for more than a decade now, adding little value to the city.<br />
<br />
“I think it’s an excellent idea. It should have been done a long time ago, but the fact it’s happening now is positive,” he said. “(But) you don’t build the future by demolishing the past, especially when it comes to heritage buildings. You basically take beautiful heritage buildings and you retrofit them and you bring them into life and prosperity for the future, the way we’ve done at Exhibition Place.”<br />
<br />
He pointed out that Ontario Place, which opened in 1971, was the work of noted architect Eb Zeidler, who also designed the Eaton Centre.<br />
<br />
The call to make over Ontario Place came in a pivotal tourism report prepared last year by Liberal MPP Greg Sorbara.<br />
<br />
“We believe that the revitalization of Ontario Place should be done in conjunction with the redevelopment of the surrounding area,” the report says. “The entire area should become the province’s showpiece for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.”</blockquote><br />
There must be a way to revitalize Ontario Place while enhancing the Cinesphere, not destroying it.<br />
<br />
Speak up Toronto and Ontario! Let Dalton McGuinty and his cronies know that you want a Revitalized Ontario Place that includes the Cinesphere!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexindigo/241454511/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexindigo/241454511/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexindigo/" target="_blank">alexindigo</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-90385025678229233302010-07-13T00:13:00.000-04:002010-07-13T00:13:31.251-04:00Honda Indy Toronto Coming July 16th to 18th, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/track-map" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfq9DHKFpNMb9dG9uFTK3XgQJX3TDwMgOcqAsaNu-1HdVods4uz7Q08NlsnLcSxv7DAka6qo5Ce0B2wJ7ULgtTPkLPGFq8niKbbhDC-vp0C_Ey8ZBhx7G6tBwBc8zVldgrY_u_7mCfSZf/s640/HondaIndyTorontoRaceMapPDFScreenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Hey Race Fans, Honda Indy Toronto is coming to the Waterfront and Exhibition Place on July 16th and goes on until the 18th!<br />
<br />
I took the liberty of pulling together some useful info about the Event. Here are the details:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The official site is at <a href="http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/" target="_blank">Honda Indy Toronto</a>.<br />
<br />
To see the Race Track Map (and how Downtown Toronto will be impacted), you can either visit the Track Map page on the official site at <a href="http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/track-map" target="_blank">Track-Map</a>, or you can download the Race Map PDF at <a href="http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/images/stories/pdf/honda_indy_toronto_map_2010.pdf" target="_blank">Download Track-Map PDF</a>.<br />
<br />
For Ticket Prices visit <a href="http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/tickets" target="_blank">Tickets</a>, and for where to buy tickets, visit <a href="https://t1.clicknprint.com/tix/SilverStream/Pages/pgIndex.html?siteID=2547" target="_blank">Purchase Tickets</a>.<br />
<br />
If you plan on going, don't forget your ear plugs!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from the Honda Indy Toronto Track-Map PDF Download at <a href="http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/images/stories/pdf/honda_indy_toronto_map_2010.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/images/stories/pdf/honda_indy_toronto_map_2010.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-18820527184808371642010-07-12T23:38:00.000-04:002010-07-12T23:38:48.113-04:00NHL Commissioner Douchebag Gary Bettman Makes $7.23 Mil Salary???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPrjzN_Cj0LrYMa_kkI8Ga4n47EWKd8KwtPbi2rU74bdLs5llZb9B8cpUjXRE1qiialSrfLVoDDff23KgLEn4PYth09WcK1nDgRyOtGWVnF39zC2JdGsLxEzNLAcnPkBC7vsbHCDbtkXB/s1600/Gary_Bettman_by_captcanuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPrjzN_Cj0LrYMa_kkI8Ga4n47EWKd8KwtPbi2rU74bdLs5llZb9B8cpUjXRE1qiialSrfLVoDDff23KgLEn4PYth09WcK1nDgRyOtGWVnF39zC2JdGsLxEzNLAcnPkBC7vsbHCDbtkXB/s400/Gary_Bettman_by_captcanuk.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
Did you know that Gary "The Douchebag Extraordinaire" Bettman, the shamed Commissioner of the NHL, made $7.23 Million in 2008-2009?!!<br />
<br />
What the hell is going on??<br />
<br />
If we compare that to the latest 2010/2011 salaries of the highest paid NHL Players, that would put him at #20 on the list, just edging out Joe Thornton!<br />
<br />
Here's a link to the Latest 2010-11 Top NHL Player Salaries List from NHLNUMBERS.com, in case you're interested:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.nhlnumbers.com/sort.php?pos=none&type=salary1011" target="_blank">2010/2011NHL Players Salaries</a><br />
<br />
Now, granted it's not as high as MLB Commissioner Bud Selig ($18.35 million) or NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ($10.9 million), but damn, I'm realistic and we're talking about hockey here.<br />
<br />
You know, still to this day I wonder how Bettman continues to keep his job... He truly is the definition of douchebag. Just ask Ron MacLean or Don Cherry, or any Winnipeger, Quebecer, or Ontarian, or Canadian overall for that matter...<br />
<br />
Here's the article from the Toronto Sun, it has more details on Bettman and the other NHL Executives' Salaries:<br />
<!--more--><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/07/12/14689546.html" target="_blank">Bettman tops $7M in pay</a><br />
<blockquote>Commissioner Gary Bettman's pay package increased to $7.23 million US in 2008-09, the SportsBusiness Journal reported Monday.<br />
<br />
While his pay rose just 1.7% from the previous season, Bettman's compensation has almost doubled since his pre-lockout total of $3.77 million.<br />
<br />
Following are NHL executives' salaries for 2008-09 as reported by SportsBusiness Journal based on tax filings:<br />
<br />
# Commissioner Gary Bettman $7,230,783<br />
# Deputy commissioner Bill Daly $1,910,402<br />
# Director of hockey operations Colin Campbell $1,389,142<br />
# Chief financial officer Craig Harnett $938,367<br />
# Chief operating officer John Collins $878,226<br />
# Strategist Ed Horne, who is no longer with the league, $794,238<br />
# General counsel David Zimmerman $577,394<br />
# EVP, finance, Joseph DeSousa $520,299<br />
# Director of officiating Stephen Walkom, who is no longer with the league, $488,736<br />
# SVP, hockey operations, Mike Murphy, $440,317</blockquote><br />
In tribute to those NHL Players who fell just behind Bettman in Salary, here is the list of the Top 20 players after him on this list and their salaries:<br />
<br />
Joe Thornton - $7.2 Million<br />
Brian Campbell - $7 Million<br />
Daniel Alfredsson - $7 Million (Up yours, Alfredsson!!!)<br />
Daniel Briere - $7 Million<br />
Jean-Sebastien Giguere - $7 Million (Are you serious?!!)<br />
Jarome Iginla - $7 Million<br />
Mikka Kiprusoff - $7 Million<br />
Dion Phaneuf - $7 Million<br />
Mark Savard - $7 Million<br />
Kimmo Timonem - $7 Million<br />
Patrick Marleau - $6.9 Million<br />
Pavel Datsyuk - $6.7 Million<br />
Dan Boyle - $6.67 Million<br />
Jay Bouwmeester - $6.6 Million<br />
Paul Stastny - $6.6 Million<br />
Shawn Horcoff - $6.5 Million<br />
Patrick Kane - $6.5 Million<br />
Wade Redden - $6.5 Million<br />
Jonathan Toews - $6.5 Million<br />
Mike Richards - $6.4 Million<br />
Thomas Vanek - $6.4 Million<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Is it just me, or don't you wish that Ron MacLean would just body check Gary Bettman head first into the camera every time he grabs his arm when Ron asks a tough question?!! I mean, I know I'm not alone in this... ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gary_Bettman.jpg" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gary_Bettman.jpg</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pirana/" target="_blank">captcanuk</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-33104701524922523992010-07-12T22:29:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:29:37.651-04:00The Nightmare Called "Flashblood" Heroin Use<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEytf4mrVN3mTIq_WlN3B-Ioy1LsOgfApJO2h3r2TJLr_pjhpSin_mXB7MM8j1H8k_SGDQGAy8Bxanus_HiBIvLhEQs-B-hHC16CQ3u1tdL0IwpQGEmWzVSaoAxkK24pHCIflBKzEHfS48/s1600/DarEsSalaam_by_smagdali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEytf4mrVN3mTIq_WlN3B-Ioy1LsOgfApJO2h3r2TJLr_pjhpSin_mXB7MM8j1H8k_SGDQGAy8Bxanus_HiBIvLhEQs-B-hHC16CQ3u1tdL0IwpQGEmWzVSaoAxkK24pHCIflBKzEHfS48/s640/DarEsSalaam_by_smagdali.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania)</span></div><br />
Apparently, in Tanzania there's a scary trend with heroin-addicted female sex workers, where the older poorer sex worker who gets less work, gets a younger more active user to give them about a teaspoon of their blood after they get high so that they can inject it and get their fix from their heroin-rich blood.<br />
<br />
No need to remind you about the AIDS epidemic that's going on in Africa, so putting two and two together really becomes a nightmare...<br />
<br />
Just thinking about those tourists who go there for their "African Safari" and hook up with those AIDS-infected sex workers, and then come back home afterward to unknowingly spread their new found "partner"... Wow.<br />
<br />
Anyway, you should read some of the numbers from the study. Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2010/07/12/14690671.html" target="_blank">African heroin addicts inject each other's blood: report</a><br />
<blockquote>A new report chronicles a disturbing trend in African cities called 'flashbood' - addicts injecting another's blood into their own veins to feed off their heroin high.<br />
<br />
Sheryl A. McCurdy, the University of Texas researchers who headed up the study, published in the journal Addiction, said there's no data showing how prevalent flashblood is, but said it's most common in East African countries, where it originated in 2005.<br />
<br />
It's been reported in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on the island of Zanzibar and in Mombasa, Kenya, according to the New York Times.<br />
<br />
In most East African countries, only 3% to 5% of adults are infected with the AIDS virus. That's small compared to South Africa, where between 15% and 25% have the disease.<br />
<br />
But infection rates are highest among heroin users, the NYT reports. In Tanzania, about 42% are infected and 64% of female addicts have AIDS, likely due to the prevalence of needle-using female sex workers.<br />
<br />
While mostly women practice flashbood in Tanzania, a 2006 report in the African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies shows that mostly men do it in Zanzibar, where 9% of all needle-drug users reported having used the technique at some point.<br />
<br />
Heroin in Africa is particularly strong, as it comes from relatively pure shipments on their way to Europe from Afghanistan and Asia.<br />
<br />
However, a teaspoon of blood is more than enough to pass along the AIDS virus.</blockquote><br />
What more is there to say?<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Why did I write this post? It was shocking to me, so I thought I would share that shock with you... I'm assuming you heroin users out there already knew about this...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smagdali/4193992925/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/smagdali/4193992925/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smagdali/" target="_blank">smagdali</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-89279549243253791572010-07-05T12:28:00.000-04:002010-07-05T12:28:49.869-04:00Rob Ford to Gain From Joke Candidate Mammoliti's Early Exit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzt00Aw1T1wEzli61RiEfv310gNYjLELT-LtUZUUyUFi1RRleqRNYwZl8E-y7JNyCYHw0_Cp5WJlbK1cjyEABF1TZ21-9pyoXlje0xnLgnXhCb4teGK4VX9NHoFsSYxTkVL_VhIeuRIwl/s1600/GiorgioMammolitiButtons_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzt00Aw1T1wEzli61RiEfv310gNYjLELT-LtUZUUyUFi1RRleqRNYwZl8E-y7JNyCYHw0_Cp5WJlbK1cjyEABF1TZ21-9pyoXlje0xnLgnXhCb4teGK4VX9NHoFsSYxTkVL_VhIeuRIwl/s640/GiorgioMammolitiButtons_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Well, it was only a matter of time until Giorgio Mammoliti bailed from the Toronto Mayoral Race to try and preserve his current job as a Toronto City Councillor -though even that may be in jeopardy as in his quest for Mayor, 8 other candidates in his ward have entered the race to take his council seat.<br />
<br />
Mammoliti may have only now decided to withdraw from the race, but the majority of Torontonians already dismissed him as a joke candidate after the release of his plans for Toronto's waterfront and the Gardiner if elected (see <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/820537--no-cars-on-the-gardiner-in-mammoliti-s-waterfront-plan" target="_blank">No cars on the Gardiner in Mammoliti’s waterfront plan</a>).<br />
<br />
Now that Mammoliti is out, internal polls taken by Mammoliti's team suggest that Rob Ford is expected to pick up his share of the voters.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/831940--rob-ford-stands-to-gain-as-giorgio-mammoliti-withdraws?bn=1" target="_blank">Rob Ford stands to gain as Giorgio Mammoliti withdraws</a><br />
<blockquote>With Giorgio Mammoliti’s exit from the mayoral race — a move he is scheduled to officially make around noon Monday — the candidate poised to gain the most is Mammoliti’s longtime political rival, Rob Ford.<br />
<br />
Internal polling from the Mammoliti camp shows virtually all of the right-wing councillor’s support would fall to his conservative rival. <br />
<br />
Ford, when contacted by email late Sunday, said it must have been a difficult decision to withdraw.<br />
<br />
”I certainly would welcome the support from those who were with Councillor Mammoliti,” he said. “We may not agree on everything but I look forward to working with Councillor Mammoliti in the future.”<br />
<br />
That Mammoliti supporters would find common ground with Ford isn’t surprisingly since the neighbouring west-end councillors wear similar political stripes. But it is perhaps ironic, given that insiders have speculated the only reason Mammoliti opted to stay in the race so long was to derail Ford’s campaign.</blockquote><br />
And, here is the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/07/04/14607111.html" target="_blank">Mayoral race will thin out: Pantalone</a><br />
<blockquote>Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti may be dropping out of the mayor’s race Monday but other candidates will follow, says fellow candidate Joe Pantalone.<br />
<br />
Toronto’s deputy mayor predicted Sunday that he will be fighting it out with only Councillor Rob Ford and former Liberal cabinet minister George Smitherman in the final days of the campaign for mayor. Voters go to the polls on Oct. 25.<br />
<br />
A source close to the Mammoliti campaign, however, told the Toronto Sun Saturday that the York West councillor will announce Monday he’s dropping out of the race, but will run to keep his council seat.<br />
<br />
Mammoliti’s departure is just another phase in the marathon run to this fall’s election, Pantalone said.<br />
<br />
“At the end of the day, I think it will be myself, Rob Ford and George Smitherman,” he said. “You have to have traction in politics.”<br />
<br />
Reached by phone Sunday, Councillor Rob Ford said he thinks many members of Mammoliti’s team will come over to his campaign.<br />
<br />
“It’s too bad he’s leaving the race,” Ford said. “The more the merrier, I say.”<br />
<br />
But Ford balked at the notion that with Mammoliti’s exit, he’s one of the last right-of-centre candidate’s in the race.<br />
<br />
“I’m a candidate for everybody, left, right and centre,” Ford said.</blockquote><br />
In Mammoliti's Exit speech, he pushed that people should allow lesser-known Toronto Mayoral Candidate Rocco Achampong, who's website can be found at <a href="http://roccoformayor.com/" target="_blank">http://roccoformayor.com/</a>, to take his seat in the future Toronto Mayoral Debates.<br />
<br />
After hearing Rocco's comments after Mammoliti's speech, I agree that Rocco would be a welcomed addition. I hope that CP24 and other debate-holders were listening...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662200352/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662200352/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-57580054582829272662010-06-30T22:04:00.004-04:002010-06-30T22:06:59.777-04:00The Best Frozen Lasagna From Toronto Grocery Stores...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWYx1wUMB2JuM0XMKK77GGMghIMcszJVgovgNv2NrGPXW90bYC97BG2sZIGDvpY1fZDmOhxP4veXCaCc2vWR_TpTTH8jW2VNUVvU8NmSCxX2caygKfpy69HnzSoJM2GKSFtgX3MYaPFX_/s1600/The+Village+Kitchen+-+Vegetable+Lasagna+-+WithCover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWYx1wUMB2JuM0XMKK77GGMghIMcszJVgovgNv2NrGPXW90bYC97BG2sZIGDvpY1fZDmOhxP4veXCaCc2vWR_TpTTH8jW2VNUVvU8NmSCxX2caygKfpy69HnzSoJM2GKSFtgX3MYaPFX_/s640/The+Village+Kitchen+-+Vegetable+Lasagna+-+WithCover.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I made a discovery a few months ago, and I've been keeping it <i>on the low</i>, I don't know why... Maybe I didn't want everyone out there to find out and start buying all of it, leaving me with none the next time I look for it...<br />
<br />
It's this Frozen Lasagna called <i>The Village Kitchen - Vegetable Lasagna (900 g)</i>. I have to say, it is the best frozen lasagna you can buy out there. At least here in Toronto, and from a <i>regular</i> grocery store (I'm not going to give out the name, but you can find where to buy it at this link: <a href="http://www.thevillagekitchen.ca/locations.aspx" target="_blank">The Village Kitchen - Locations</a>).<br />
<br />
Now, just to be clear, this isn't me trying to sell a friend's products. I don't know who they are, it's just, damn, they make an amazing lasagna! So amazing that I actually had to take the time to write a post about it...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
And I've tried them all... You know the ones. They're stashed in the freezers all together in one place. There are those big family ones, and the smaller 2-people ones... Meat Lasagnas, and 4-Cheese Lasagnas, and Vegetable Lasagnas. Lots of different brands and types, but all taste pretty much the same. They all have that generic tomato sauce, the veggies all taste the same, and yada yada, you know what I'm talking about. Don't get me wrong, I will buy and eat them if there's no Village Kitchen Lasagna there, as a Lasagna in the oven is the easiest dinner to make after work. Just unwrap and pop in. Simple.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this Lasagna is in a deceptively small container, but it fills 2 people (at least myself and my girl) 100% completely. Sometimes there's a small tiny quarter-of-a-piece left, but most of the times that's dealt with as well, as you really can't just look at it afterwards and not want to eat it -regardless of how full you are...<br />
<br />
Everyone's oven is different, so you can figure out how long it takes for you. For us, it takes about an hour and 15 mins or so. We basically come home, pop it in, go settle down and stuff, and it's ready.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB4DkdGuLIO811qPQ7nUhdu_76donTxnHFIVGPrghokgQDltopbwKv1F5WIcy5OgnCBwTBu1EKSvwGJmJeCx0bVSt57yQP8SGO3PKtvS8qNjiYf4Ndvz0ROamq3TABMwORRa9cWmFDiQi/s1600/The+Village+Kitchen+-+Vegetable+Lasagna+-+SliceCloseUp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB4DkdGuLIO811qPQ7nUhdu_76donTxnHFIVGPrghokgQDltopbwKv1F5WIcy5OgnCBwTBu1EKSvwGJmJeCx0bVSt57yQP8SGO3PKtvS8qNjiYf4Ndvz0ROamq3TABMwORRa9cWmFDiQi/s400/The+Village+Kitchen+-+Vegetable+Lasagna+-+SliceCloseUp.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Again, this Lasagna does not have that typical generic taste that all of the other frozen Lasagnas have. It really does taste good. And the tomato sauce that they use, oh, it's something else. For me, the sauce in the Lasagna is probably the most critical part about it. That generic sauce just kills it for me...<br />
<br />
The one thing about this Lasagna, is that it's not cheap. It actually costs what it should cost given the taste. It's as expensive as the family size Lasagnas, maybe a tiny bit more. But it's worth it to have a nice, easy, filling meal that requires no work. And looking at the overall cost for 2 people, that's a cheap dinner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>If you don't have the pleasure of being able to get fresh home-made -and I mean made fresh from scratch in your home- Lasagna, then this Lasagna is the way to go. It's definitely the best Frozen Lasagna that you can get from a regular grocery store. <br />
<br />
If you've had The Village Kitchen's Vegetable Lasagna, it would be great to hear your thoughts on it. I know I'm not the only person who is secretly enjoying this Lasagna.<br />
<br />
And hey, if you know of any other Frozen Lasagna that you think is really good, let us all know. I'm sure all of us non-chef busy people would appreciate the tip.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: My pictures definitely don't do it justice...<br />
<br />
PPS: For you meat lovers, I know you must have already dismissed this vegetable lasagna as some vegan crap (<i>how dare I, right?!!</i>), but trust me, try it, you'll see. You won't miss the meat. (<i>Yes, yes, make your jokes, joke-makers...</i>)<br />
<br />
PPPS: Here are the ingredients for those of you who are interested:<br />
<br />
Noodles, tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, onions, garlic, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms, celery, butter, flour, canola oil, whipping cream, sugar, salt, pepper, herbs and spices.<br />
<br />
Made around the corner up in Markham, ON, I believe (as per their website).<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(<br />
All images taken by jackandcokewithalime<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-4592562408269935262010-06-30T00:45:00.002-04:002010-06-30T00:45:48.247-04:00Toronto G20 Business & Individual Compensation Claim Information<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFQxS75QxceEK5abxMVlZNRY-ZFgL3eOW72SDQvHjhg0C1YGx-usgxE0TCx2BS5HlUz3ox5UC_-d2s0zm4OxOa54gmLHz3xoozA1CRLSqqxe7M37EG8-0FKWpGujk3VP0RtfvpDDNKty-/s1600/TorontoG20Damages_by_IRon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFQxS75QxceEK5abxMVlZNRY-ZFgL3eOW72SDQvHjhg0C1YGx-usgxE0TCx2BS5HlUz3ox5UC_-d2s0zm4OxOa54gmLHz3xoozA1CRLSqqxe7M37EG8-0FKWpGujk3VP0RtfvpDDNKty-/s640/TorontoG20Damages_by_IRon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you were one of the countless Torontonians who were hit financially by the Toronto G20, whether it was your Business that was impacted, or if you personally lost money due to the Summit, you are probably now wondering what exactly you can do in terms of getting compensation from the Federal Government.<br />
<br />
I took the liberty of looking into that for you, and I've pulled together some information that was available for your review.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Firstly, the compensation payments that you are looking for are called, "Ex Gratia" payments.<br />
<br />
The Toronto G20 website provides the following notes in regards to <a href="http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/#payments" target="_blank">Payments on an Ex Gratia Basis</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Although the Government is not legally bound to pay compensation for losses suffered as a result of international meetings held in Canada there are precedents where compensation has been provided to those impacted by security measures of previous international summits. <br />
<br />
The administration and coordination of all requests for information on Payments on an Ex Gratia Basis to mitigate adverse financial consequences as a result of extraordinary security measures put in place for the G-20 Toronto Summit is under the responsibility of the Summits Management Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. <br />
<br />
All persons concerned are invited to read the relevant <a href="http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/guidelines-for-payments-on-an-ex-gratia-basis/" target="_blank">Guidelines</a>, <a href="http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/exgratia/" target="_blank">frequently asked questions</a> and the <a href="http://g20.gc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/claim_for_payment_eng.pdf" target="_blank">Claim Form (pdf)</a> within the time-frame stated in the Guidelines. The assessment of all claims will be made in close cooperation with Audit Services Canada, a special operating agency reporting to Public Works and Government Services Canada. Payments will be administered in accordance with Treasury Board Policy on Claims and Ex Gratia Payments and the Financial Administration Act. <br />
<br />
For any other question on matters not referred to in the above-mentioned documents (Guidelines and Claim Form), the Summits Management Office has activated a toll-free telephone number: 1-877-750-6042.</blockquote><br />
Here's some other information from the Guidelines that I thought worth including:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><b>What percentage of my claim will be covered?</b><br />
<br />
Payment could cover up to 100% of the loss of net profits or loss of net revenues or extraordinary costs that are eligible subject to approval of funds available for this purpose.<br />
<br />
<b>What is covered under the Guidelines?</b><br />
<br />
According to Section 8-(d) of the guidelines, “Payment will not be provided for losses and damages that are insurable under normal insurance coverage. Only losses and damages arising from Extraordinary Security Measures above and beyond the amounts covered by insurance policies could be eligible for payment.”<br />
<br />
Payment could be considered for the following:<br />
<br />
a) Commercial businesses – Loss of Net Profits<br />
b) Non–profit organizations – Loss of Net Revenues<br />
c) Individuals – Extraordinary costs<br />
<br />
All amounts claimed for payment must be proven, justified, appropriate and reasonable, and only those amounts that cannot be paid out by means of other financial instruments are eligible.<br />
<br />
<b>What costs are not considered eligible under the Guidelines?</b><br />
<br />
According to Section 8-(c) of the guidelines, the following claims shall not be considered eligible for payment:<br />
<br />
a) damages caused by third parties, including vandalism;<br />
b) damages for personal injury (bodily harm);<br />
c) damages for emotional distress; and,<br />
d) amounts that can be paid out by means of another instrument, such as statutory or regulatory scheme, Treasury Board policy, program, grant or contribution; and<br />
e) private protection measures.<br />
<br />
<b>Why are the costs listed above not covered?</b><br />
<br />
Vandalism is covered by regular insurance and under these Guidelines, payments are not provided for losses that are insurable under normal insurance coverage. Damages for personal injury and emotional distress are also compensated by other means. Also, private security measures are not eligible, as security agencies will be providing the required security. Insurance deductibles related to ineligible costs will not be covered by the Guidelines.<br />
<br />
<b>What is the deadline for submission of claims?</b><br />
<br />
Claims must be submitted within 90 days of the date of conclusion of the Extraordinary Security Measures of the Summit unless otherwise authorized by the Summits Management Office.<br />
<br />
<b>What is the time frame over which a claim can be based?</b><br />
<br />
Claims can only be presented for the period during which the Security Authority prohibits public access inside the perimeter. However, if eligible beneficiaries can demonstrate that they have suffered losses immediately before or shortly after the duration of the Extraordinary Security Measures of the Summit due to reduced traffic as a result of these measures, they may submit such losses in their claim for consideration.<br />
<br />
<b>Where can I send my claim?</b><br />
<br />
Claims should be sent to Summits Management Office, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa (Ontario), K1A OG2.<br />
<br />
<b>When will claims be processed?</b><br />
<br />
The Government of Canada is committed to processing claims as soon as possible upon their receipt at the Summits Management Office.</blockquote><br />
For further information on all of the Guidelines, the FAQs, and for the actual Claim Form, please see the links below:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/guidelines-for-payments-on-an-ex-gratia-basis/" target="_blank">Ex Gratia - Guidelines</a><br />
<a href="http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/guidelines-for-payments-on-an-ex-gratia-basis/" target="_blank">Ex Gratia - </a><a href="http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/exgratia/" target="_blank">Frequently Asked Questions</a> <br />
<a href="http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/guidelines-for-payments-on-an-ex-gratia-basis/" target="_blank">Ex Gratia - Claim Form - </a><a href="http://g20.gc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/claim_for_payment_eng.pdf" target="_blank">Claim for Payment on an Ex gratia Basis - Toronto G20 Summit (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Images:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4737331132/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4737331132/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/" target="_blank">I,Ron</a> on flickr (Tim Horton's)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4736696797/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4736696797/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/" target="_blank">I,Ron</a> on flickr (Winners)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4736692543/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4736692543/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/" target="_blank">I,Ron</a> on flickr (Bell Store)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4736699825/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/4736699825/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironink/" target="_blank">I,Ron</a> on flickr (Second Cup)<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-78075720292138135732010-06-28T23:34:00.002-04:002010-06-28T23:42:28.695-04:00I'd Fly Porter Airlines Again Anytime!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc09SFEEnUM9bm7udEDgDa2hq4vniZP2uAZOku9O0fwWHW4Nbili4bgV0dvPbvmlRSp9ZmiZmswRWukB95DaEvS1tKrIlZ8hsqKk40hwp2MS27l7Dp1_V44m5huEotJww_ix0NCtu3QM3J/s1600/PorterAirlines_by_TomPurves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc09SFEEnUM9bm7udEDgDa2hq4vniZP2uAZOku9O0fwWHW4Nbili4bgV0dvPbvmlRSp9ZmiZmswRWukB95DaEvS1tKrIlZ8hsqKk40hwp2MS27l7Dp1_V44m5huEotJww_ix0NCtu3QM3J/s640/PorterAirlines_by_TomPurves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So, I decided to escape Toronto this past weekend for a family thing, and to avoid the headache that is, G20. And unlike the 900+ people who probably wished they'd done the same (Toronto Sun: <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/g20/2010/06/28/14542356.html" target="_blank">More than 900 arrests during G20 Summit</a>), I had an awesome time partying it up in Chicago!<br />
<br />
When looking for flights, a friend suggested I check out Porter, as he flies it all the time and has nothing but good things to say about the Airline. So I thought what the hell, it's right here anyway, much closer than Pearson. (At the time I wasn't thinking about the G20...)<br />
<br />
So I checked out their site (<a href="http://www.flyporter.com/fly/Search.aspx?culture=en-CA" target="_blank">Fly Porter - Porter Airlines</a>), and when comparing the prices to all of the other Airlines (including Air Canada of course), Porter had the best price. So I booked it. I actually called in instead of doing it online. I just feel safer talking to someone and getting the actual confirmation from a human being... I guess it's a personal preference... I'm coming around...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Anyway, so this weekend came, and I actually TTC'd it down there, totally consumed in the paranoia, that was, G20. It actually wasn't too bad. Nobody was around... <br />
<br />
We got to the Ferry, checked in, boarded it and got to look at water from a ship for 10 minutes or so (<i>hey, how often do you get to do that?</i>). We then went into the Terminal and checked our bags. The Security was fast and efficient, and in no time we were in the lounge. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlRwIrw2Y5YUNcib3nc6_6-WvDVHgeA1B5Hr-k6KfuhOo-E20kqi_rs4XRpVypy4jofPErg0hBsGm9btgiXZrjpklR67uhngXyo9Y3-ag5RPyjO6poTPnWGtqUh2JK4m-sfwMEOyOtn4_/s1600/PorterAirlinesLounge_by_TomPurves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlRwIrw2Y5YUNcib3nc6_6-WvDVHgeA1B5Hr-k6KfuhOo-E20kqi_rs4XRpVypy4jofPErg0hBsGm9btgiXZrjpklR67uhngXyo9Y3-ag5RPyjO6poTPnWGtqUh2JK4m-sfwMEOyOtn4_/s320/PorterAirlinesLounge_by_TomPurves.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXNwnr1PQjt7XjKU8c7OHhapX0UrrFyTjgkNpohOqr7mAt5CitbdMroooVGXt1Prvspw61jr6L7u4sCx8ol2Qc4ChmpXIOf-RJ6gbolZIA3aJy-ku6z_jzw01vKrovEGc4xTcP3PFW7mX/s1600/PorterAirlinesLounge2_by_FalsePositives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXNwnr1PQjt7XjKU8c7OHhapX0UrrFyTjgkNpohOqr7mAt5CitbdMroooVGXt1Prvspw61jr6L7u4sCx8ol2Qc4ChmpXIOf-RJ6gbolZIA3aJy-ku6z_jzw01vKrovEGc4xTcP3PFW7mX/s320/PorterAirlinesLounge2_by_FalsePositives.jpg" /></a></div><br />
People are all just relaxing in either these sofas, or these lounge chairs, or at tables on their laptops. As we walk in deeper, we see a booth on the other side where apparently they are holding a <a href="http://www.glenfiddich.ca/index.html" target="_blank">Glenfiddich Scotch Whiskey</a> Taste Test! Of course we have to partake. And for those of you who've done the Taste Test, I chose the 18 year-old Oak, Apple, Cinnamon Single Malt as my favorite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr0FM3ajw92XGbb9wp3m3Um6hCkDPxaWP1zDZ7F7V_pNDiIXTEbvDkr1Ry-XbJtfeWZ8yKcxLS1JRCZfgm2sonxQiphZp5F2EnVxv_xOm32cVWBzLfEZwxO5SfIXGpmZpi0_sh36UnwpY/s1600/GlenfiddichScotchWhiskey_by_Vacacion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr0FM3ajw92XGbb9wp3m3Um6hCkDPxaWP1zDZ7F7V_pNDiIXTEbvDkr1Ry-XbJtfeWZ8yKcxLS1JRCZfgm2sonxQiphZp5F2EnVxv_xOm32cVWBzLfEZwxO5SfIXGpmZpi0_sh36UnwpY/s320/GlenfiddichScotchWhiskey_by_Vacacion.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We then checked out their free offerings, which included some salted almond packages, cookie packages, as well as pop, water, coffee, tea, juice, and all of that good stuff. Though, they definitely need to make their fridges colder!! Am I wrong? But hey, it's free, <i>so I'll just shut my mouth</i>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0ue63R2zHfyuTaL4Jtgt_d81S3yTXol3E8ewrdLAzCAM7OcYzeC1T-EB1AbVA5anKyB-7fvUWrxkQp6OQU_7v1kURzow7pbJ_Suu5eUZzXiIavburPR5cy_Vmw-iNS9c94BAK1yqoDnx/s1600/PorterAirlinesCoffees_by_TomPurves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0ue63R2zHfyuTaL4Jtgt_d81S3yTXol3E8ewrdLAzCAM7OcYzeC1T-EB1AbVA5anKyB-7fvUWrxkQp6OQU_7v1kURzow7pbJ_Suu5eUZzXiIavburPR5cy_Vmw-iNS9c94BAK1yqoDnx/s320/PorterAirlinesCoffees_by_TomPurves.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Anyway, we were really hungry, so we ended up leaving the terminal and going outside to the Druxy's around the corner to grab a couple of sandwiches. We then took them back inside through security again, and ate them in the lounge. <br />
<br />
Our flight was on time, and when called, we boarded.<br />
<br />
The plane had 2 sets of 2-seaters all the way down... So we went to our seats, and I was happily surprised to see the amount of space between you and the seat in front of you!! It was impressive, I have to say... Definitely more than it's competitors -you know who you are! <br />
<br />
And, if you fly Porter, then you know about this next awesome perk! Free booze on your flight!! Yes, yes... I know... But that's pretty awesome, you have to admit...<br />
<br />
Anyway, the flight went fast, and we got there ahead of schedule. <br />
<br />
Now, the only thing that concerned me about Porter, is this next part. And it doesn't help if you're already <i>buzzing </i>going into it...<br />
<br />
Porter doesn't have US Customs in Toronto. You have to fly to the US, and then go through Customs over there. And who knows how long you'll have to wait at your destination to go through Customs. I've waited at Pearson sometimes for over an hour, and that's just us Torontonians from over here. In Chicago, International flights all have to go through US Customs over there, so it could be horrible. Not to mention, if anything goes wrong with the officer, you're flying home, and this whole ordeal was for nothing...<br />
<br />
Anyway, surprisingly, there was nobody there when we got there, so it went quick. Our bags were waiting for us, and we were out the door, ready to start the party.<br />
<br />
So, overall, everything went excellent. I have no complaints at all. The flight back was a breeze as well, and we got some nice shots of Toronto from the Island afterwards.<br />
<br />
Porter Airlines provided a fast, efficient and very pleasant experience. I would recommend it to anyone, especially if it's cheaper. Flying out from the Island Airport was very convenient, and the free snacks, drinks, Scotch Taste Test, and booze on the plane were awesome as well.<br />
<br />
How were your experiences with Porter? I'm sure the readers would love to know.<br />
<br />
For me, it really is like a secret that those who know about, really don't want anyone else to find out about. I'm probably violating the secret "Porter Code" with this post, but hey, this stuff is good to know...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Chicago was awesome!! And that deep-dish pizza is delicious! Best I've ever had. And I'm not a pizza person...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nzQUA5EffuWTs4-UZHWggX8f_Pi5bvlw_PSJv0Wb2MVPvjszc2QRLStXQQOtNRnRkdBgHgMtRgdFWkCUjvVWn5v30-OXwWHrLuAiOUuYx9RUeihW_OKRH-5M5TEqChyphenhyphenl2bA85A7felwA/s1600/ChicagoDeepDishPizzaAndBreadstick_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nzQUA5EffuWTs4-UZHWggX8f_Pi5bvlw_PSJv0Wb2MVPvjszc2QRLStXQQOtNRnRkdBgHgMtRgdFWkCUjvVWn5v30-OXwWHrLuAiOUuYx9RUeihW_OKRH-5M5TEqChyphenhyphenl2bA85A7felwA/s320/ChicagoDeepDishPizzaAndBreadstick_by_jackandcokewithalime.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/2843427103/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/2843427103/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/" target="_blank">Tom Purves</a> on flickr (Plane Side-View)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miguelvaca/454421436/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/miguelvaca/454421436/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miguelvaca/" target="_blank">Vacacion</a> on flickr (Glenfiddich Scotch)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/2844262890/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/2844262890/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/" target="_blank">Tom Purves</a> on flickr (Porter Coffees)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/2843425325/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/2843425325/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/" target="_blank">Tom Purves</a> on flickr (Porter Lounge)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/falsepositives/2795198156/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/falsepositives/2795198156/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/falsepositives/" target="_blank">False Positives</a> on flickr (Porter Lounge 2)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Gino's East of Chicago - Legendary Deep-Dish Pizza by jackandcokewithalime<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-69062706187778861142010-06-23T14:51:00.003-04:002010-06-23T14:53:15.819-04:005.0 Magnitude Earthquake in Ontario Felt in Toronto!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQh4zZAeUQx6mOidPfig0-YNkAq-N7hpNFE6nAWRfJfsq2pmTg9qawYh7ZKniIzG45CxFscUosZ9uXGt-gySv2ZkirIF6A9G2eVEOWNnIfDJOc8AOTJ9FTo26-YJ-I-SsRcS_cWX6Veds/s1600/EarthquakeMap_USGovermentWebsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQh4zZAeUQx6mOidPfig0-YNkAq-N7hpNFE6nAWRfJfsq2pmTg9qawYh7ZKniIzG45CxFscUosZ9uXGt-gySv2ZkirIF6A9G2eVEOWNnIfDJOc8AOTJ9FTo26-YJ-I-SsRcS_cWX6Veds/s640/EarthquakeMap_USGovermentWebsite.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><br />
Did you feel it? That's the question that everyone is asking...<br />
<br />
It appears that a 5.0 Magnitude Earthquake hit Ontario at around 1:45pm today, with the Epicenter in Cumberland, ON. The tremors of the quake were felt all the way here in Toronto.<br />
<br />
Personally, my desk started shaking while I was in the middle of a work conference call... Wow, that's a first for me!<br />
<br />
Here are some further details about the earthquake:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl_D1iJPsCW5GJRijrtvfQs7k6fq9Z7sxBY0JbxbrgJIAzHe5xzoQFwY3zWNLoNtlyzIG_56dgTcky8adayhAcs1j-lMH-H9WNkpLQzYcDXAS0l-FQ7Jlbl4ydixOTRJvLKrTvUYEPWdv/s1600/OntarioEarthquakeDetails_USGovernmentWebsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl_D1iJPsCW5GJRijrtvfQs7k6fq9Z7sxBY0JbxbrgJIAzHe5xzoQFwY3zWNLoNtlyzIG_56dgTcky8adayhAcs1j-lMH-H9WNkpLQzYcDXAS0l-FQ7Jlbl4ydixOTRJvLKrTvUYEPWdv/s640/OntarioEarthquakeDetails_USGovernmentWebsite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshots taken from <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/2010xwa7/us/index.html" target="_blank">http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/2010xwa7/us/index.html</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-57074359765987259252010-06-21T22:05:00.001-04:002010-06-21T22:13:49.399-04:00Toronto Workers Told To Take Vacation or LOA During G20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DVY7Jw2EIu2mnlwzw_9xEpJLEIz5ES9eG9uVkVARR4ULh9MncwvNw49_70B2YyY3i84WY_M_IyAaBw-njM6OTuqPGUS_csNgk7NKHGwPSC4krD5RT5MViRMtrta2ugPXmYYqYcd2HwX8/s1600/TorontoG20FenceDowntown_by_Kojach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DVY7Jw2EIu2mnlwzw_9xEpJLEIz5ES9eG9uVkVARR4ULh9MncwvNw49_70B2YyY3i84WY_M_IyAaBw-njM6OTuqPGUS_csNgk7NKHGwPSC4krD5RT5MViRMtrta2ugPXmYYqYcd2HwX8/s640/TorontoG20FenceDowntown_by_Kojach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Everyone in Toronto has been talking about how they're getting screwed by the Toronto G20, either because they live downtown and it's going to be mayhem, or because they work downtown and that's going to be a nightmare. From Jays games being moved out of town, to Musicals being cancelled... The G20 may be good for Toronto, but it sure is horrible for Torontonians.<br />
<br />
The latest story that I heard was from someone on the subway who was complaining that she was told today at work to either take vacation days during the G20, or to take an unpaid leave of absence. She asked not to mention who her employer is (for obvious reasons), but let's just say that she works at a corporate headquarters for a large company. So given that, we're not talking about a small business that won't make money during that time. We're talking about a corporation that knows it's unrealistic to expect workers to make it downtown to work during the G20, and as such instead of taking the hit, they're passing it on down to the poor Torontonian worker...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This poor lady said that she has limited vacation time, and needs those days to go visit her mother who is sick overseas. The only other choice for her is not getting paid for those days, and with all of the crazy increases in everything from hydro, to this tax and that fee here in Toronto, she's doomed.<br />
<br />
How will she be compensated for those lost wages?<br />
<br />
Now, again, there are positive reasons for Toronto and Canada to host the G20. And all nations involved should take turns in taking that responsibility. All I'm saying is that next time, instead of just going with a location right in the heart of everything in Toronto because "that would be cool", think about all of the people who will be impacted by this and choose a more logical location.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kojach/4705348776/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/kojach/4705348776/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kojach/" target="_blank">Kojach</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-18130913241825434882010-06-21T15:56:00.001-04:002010-06-21T15:56:57.633-04:00Beware of the Dalton McGuinty HST Manipulation Machine...So, it looks like after a year of constant HST Manipulation from Dalton McGuinty, Ontarians still aren't believing it, and as such another media blitz focused moreso on TV Ads has been kicked off.<br />
<br />
Just to keep things real, I found a great YouTube video that reminds us about Dalton McGuinty's countless failures, lies and manipulation. Something that we should remember when looking back at the beginning of the HST, and his big promises about how the HST was going to create hundreds of thousands of jobs... (<i>Create Jobs... Yeah, right! And McGuinty wouldn't raise taxes if he was elected... Right...</i>)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ToXiukUqczg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ToXiukUqczg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
It may be too late now to repeal the HST (as doing so would cost Ontarians $5 Billion, as it was given to Ontario by the Feds to ease the HST transition and would have to be paid back if repealed -something Dalton conveniently fails to mention when asking his opponents to promise they would repeal it if elected), but tossing Dalton McGuinty and his government into the trash can still be done next year on October 6th, 2011.<br />
<br />
That's 471 days and counting....<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: Somebody should ask George Smitherman for his opinion on the HST... ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Video:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToXiukUqczg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToXiukUqczg</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-21514693455095068772010-06-21T10:18:00.000-04:002010-06-21T10:18:38.631-04:00Toronto Western Hospital Blamed Victim For Racist Sexual Abuse???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR1sZKSNUCxFE2pHHCJScEsf43Ht1iU5x95IrzwNiUhPXaO0s8sBQIJuomuxOwSh9S_wTkPsqcHYdTfZVyzCtSCxHzzh2AmQxhyy-OxM_XPWH9l_OnYQqGobNG3-c4mBPbssMTfcrUTAI/s1600/TorontoWesternHospital_by_Sillygwailo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR1sZKSNUCxFE2pHHCJScEsf43Ht1iU5x95IrzwNiUhPXaO0s8sBQIJuomuxOwSh9S_wTkPsqcHYdTfZVyzCtSCxHzzh2AmQxhyy-OxM_XPWH9l_OnYQqGobNG3-c4mBPbssMTfcrUTAI/s640/TorontoWesternHospital_by_Sillygwailo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
What's with all of these workplaces condoning the racist and sexual abuse of their employees by their co-workers and superiors these days?<br />
<br />
In this case, a young black female worker, Stacey Walker, at the Toronto Western Hospital was sexually harassed by 3 of her male superiors, and was also a victim of harsh racism, and when she reported it, her claims were dismissed by her bosses saying the abusers were harmless. In one case, when she reported it to the HR department, they told her that <i>she</i> had a problem, and should take an assertiveness workshop...<br />
<br />
And again, like in the case at the Mississauga Transportation and Works Department, these 3 criminal scumbags are being protected by their employer, and it's the victim who is on leave... The hospital is still saying that there may be disciplinary action, not confirming that the abusers will even get punished. Instead, talking about a "healing and counselling" process for the abusers and department (given that the victim does not plan to return after the betrayal by Hospital Management).<br />
<br />
This is another clear case where abusers are defended by the employer, and victims are dismissed. The 3 abusers should be fired immediately, and should have criminal charges pending. The HR worker who failed to assist the victim, should also be fired immediately. I mean, what is HR there for if they're just going to dismiss the victim, and defend the abusers? University Health Network President Robert Bell should resign immediately in disgrace for allowing this conduct to go on at the hospital.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/826283--hospital-worker-was-taunted-sexually-harassed?bn=1" target="_blank">Hospital worker was taunted, sexually harassed</a><br />
<blockquote>A young black woman working in the medical imaging department at Toronto Western Hospital was sexually harassed and the object of racial taunts in what a hospital investigation concluded was a “poisoned work environment.”<br />
<br />
Stacey Walker maintains her complaints were ignored for 16 months until a senior hospital official stepped in. Now, Walker says she has been told by another official that she can either have three months pay and leave, or return to the same job.<br />
<br />
Walker, 28, a medical imaging technologist, is breaching a wall of secrecy by speaking about her case in hope that the hospital, part of the University Health Network, will make changes to the way it handles sensitive complaints.<br />
<br />
“Get up, give me your seat and go make me some stew,” one white technologist shouted, while standing threateningly “over” her, Walker recalled in an interview with the Star. In another instance, a different technologist showed Walker racially tinged cartoons while she was performing a CT scan on a patient, a procedure that carries a high margin of error.<br />
<br />
Next, when she kept her composure, the technologist sang in her ear, Walker says, and followed her into another room to try again to rattle her.<br />
<br />
Another imaging employee, Walker's mentor, had earlier massaged her shoulders without consent and said he wished she wasn't wearing a bra, the report confirmed.<br />
<br />
That same employee who demanded she make stew, threw Walker's credentials badge on the floor and as she bent down to pick it up, whipped a bottle cap at her legs. <br />
<br />
University Health Network President Robert Bell said in an interview Friday he could not comment on the results of the confidential investigation. Bell said the matter will be concluded in the next few weeks and while there may be disciplinary action, there will also be “healing and counselling” needed in the busy department.<br />
<br />
An immediate boss tried to convince Walker that the senior technologist was harmless.<br />
<br />
A senior human resources manager suggested she take an assertiveness training workshop offered online on the hospital's intranet. That same manager told Walker she would probe the situation, first by getting in touch with the senior technologist, but never did. <br />
<br />
Taunts, lies and abuse reached a fever pitch several times over almost two years, Walker says. Some coworkers were kind to her, but many would turn their heads when she entered a room. A fellow female X-ray tech would remark if there was another man present: “Oh Stacey, don't worry. He's safe.”<br />
<br />
Rumours spread, some nasty. One of Walker's coworkers told others that she killed a patient, she says.<br />
<br />
Coworkers called Walker names, such as Shaniqua, Chaka Khan, La Toya and “dark walker.” In the report, employees are quoted saying the latter referred to her “evil . . . persona,” not the colour of her skin.</blockquote><br />
Unless the abusers, the people who let it continue, and Management who ignored it are made accountable for these crimes, one can't expect that things will change...<br />
<br />
Let's see if things end up any better than the complete an utter failure of the Mississauga Mayor, Peel Police Department and Department of Labour in the Domenic Galamini case...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillygwailo/3633864156/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillygwailo/3633864156/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillygwailo/" target="_blank">sillygwailo</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-78629349960778917072010-06-20T21:01:00.001-04:002010-06-21T22:20:58.373-04:00George Smitherman Finally Does Something Useful!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNk2XiXBnSUaCDRUeZ7EoOgkyJZW6yNDFyisKohefVlYjFc02nCLVq4I8b1CftTA34cOWKfus8jkimXikzNBOFpLB-SUXDAbKtA34fuFvbG4_R-fVCKxTDaWrEEDvzAiN3OmQEI-qMfFu/s1600/SmithermanWeedWhacker_by_ShaunMerrit_and_dvs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNk2XiXBnSUaCDRUeZ7EoOgkyJZW6yNDFyisKohefVlYjFc02nCLVq4I8b1CftTA34cOWKfus8jkimXikzNBOFpLB-SUXDAbKtA34fuFvbG4_R-fVCKxTDaWrEEDvzAiN3OmQEI-qMfFu/s640/SmithermanWeedWhacker_by_ShaunMerrit_and_dvs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The Toronto Sun captured Frivolous George Smitherman finally doing something to pay back Ontarians for his Billion Dollar eHealth fiasco (<i>though, obviously you won't hear him site that as the reason</i>)...<br />
<br />
Smitherman spent some time on Saturday with his team weed-whacking down at the Joseph J. Piccininni Centre on St. Clair Ave. W. near Caledonia Rd.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/06/19/14450661.html" target="_blank">Smitherman whacks weeds on St. Clair</a><br />
<blockquote>Mayoral contender George Smitherman gave the Sun an exclusive look Saturday at how he’ll tackle untended problems if elected.<br />
<br />
Armed with a weed whacker, Smitherman and a handful of volunteers cut down a whack of weeds Saturday growing in what used to be the well-manicured gardens outside the Joseph J. Piccininni Centre on St. Clair Ave. W. near Caledonia Rd.<br />
<br />
“If people elect me as a mayor, they should expect that I’m going to notice when the weeds are five feet tall and actually be prepared to do something about it,” Smitherman said.<br />
<br />
The guerilla gardening — that took place while the community centre was having an open house — didn’t go off without a hitch.<br />
<br />
Smitherman’s volunteers were cautioned by a city employee who wouldn’t give his name, not to touch the neglected gardens. A contractor was coming to tend to the gardens Monday, he said.<br />
<br />
When asked if he’s worried he’ll offend the city’s unionized workers by pruning the weeds on city property, Smitherman questioned who could be insulted by citizens pitching in.<br />
<br />
“Just like last year during the garbage strike people told me I was a strikebreaker, I was a scab, I think that in a city of 2.5 million ... we’re going to have to invite our communities in a little more to help to beautify the area, to pick up more garbage, to lend just a little extra hand so we can have even more beautiful spaces,” he said.</blockquote><br />
Now, granted, a couple of hours doing some landscaping around Toronto in no way comes even close to paying us back for eHealth. But hey, if we can put George to work, why not? At least any weed-whacking screw-ups won't cost us a Billion Dollars! ;)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661578547/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661578547/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr (Smitherman)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvs/211930051/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvs/211930051/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvs/" target="_blank">dvs</a> on flickr (week-whacker)<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-80129165893505787112010-06-20T20:24:00.003-04:002010-06-20T22:36:38.055-04:00Another Reason To Fear Canada Revenue Agency Workers...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQviF3REpf4uMcNFBWsucsCBbtUikiZ9LUQATTvgCJgzfwIOudO7AIpfXKaWvKh4gkH9cm5d1k8qnnigZk1MalDmZ41yHAEMiievFvNdQex9Z_CnAa2dv1o-zRoNBNNog9uGuJWrlV7MH/s1600/CRAHome-Connaught_Building_by_SimonP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQviF3REpf4uMcNFBWsucsCBbtUikiZ9LUQATTvgCJgzfwIOudO7AIpfXKaWvKh4gkH9cm5d1k8qnnigZk1MalDmZ41yHAEMiievFvNdQex9Z_CnAa2dv1o-zRoNBNNog9uGuJWrlV7MH/s640/CRAHome-Connaught_Building_by_SimonP.JPG" width="640" /></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The Connaught Building - Home of the Canada Revenue Agency)</span></i></div><br />
You know, I thought long and hard about whether to do a post about this, because I, like everyone else out there, fear the CRA Auditor (for non-Canadian readers, the CRA is the equivalent of the IRS down in the USA).<br />
<br />
Nothing against you, <i>oh mighty and powerful</i> CRA Auditor... You're cool. <i>Really. No, really. Please. I'm sorry...</i><br />
<br />
I'm just saying that everyone has a fear of the CRA Auditor. I mean, who doesn't start to sweat when you get an envelope in the mail from the CRA?<br />
<br />
Anyway, news came out today about another reason you should fear the CRA Auditor and pretty much any other worker at the Tax Agency, and this isn't just related to you being audited.<br />
<br />
Apparently, Canadian Tax Agency workers have been "snooping" on tax payers' records and private tax data for their own personal use, including on ex-spouses which is the majority, and also on family, friends, colleagues, ex-employers, competitors and etc. In some cases, they're taking your personal data and burning it onto CDs so they can take it home and use it for their own side-business purposes...<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/826154--tax-workers-use-government-computers-to-snoop-on-ex-spouses-family-members?bn=1" target="_blank">Tax workers use government computers to snoop on ex-spouses, family members</a><br />
<blockquote>OTTAWA—Dozens of workers at Canada’s tax agency have been caught snooping on their ex-spouses, mothers-in-law, creditors and others by reading confidential tax files.<br />
<br />
Internal reports at the Canada Revenue Agency show that rogue employees are improperly reviewing the private financial affairs of taxpayers without their knowledge.<br />
<br />
And some are using agency computers to give favoured treatment to colleagues, friends, family — and themselves.<br />
<br />
In one egregious breach last October, a woman accessed 37,500 emails and 776 documents containing confidential financial information about ordinary Canadians. She downloaded the files onto 17 compact discs for her personal use, inexplicably helped by agency technicians.<br />
<br />
In one case, a worker secretly operated a business on the side with her spouse, and between 2004 and 2009 “accessed the accounts of two creditors and the spouse of one of those creditors.”<br />
<br />
A woman in one unidentified office poked into the agency’s data looking for confidential information on colleagues, friends and family — apparently to give them a break on their taxes.<br />
<br />
“She accessed her own tax information and the tax information (of) 13 relatives.... She provided preferential treatment to colleagues, relatives and acquaintances.”<br />
<br />
Agency records for 2008-2009 show there were 29 cases in which workers were caught accessing taxpayer records without authorization, about the annual average for the last five years. And there were a dozen instances in 2008-2009 in which tax records were improperly disclosed to third parties.</blockquote><br />
Pretty crazy, eh?<br />
<br />
Helping out people you know, ok, to tell you the truth, I figured they were doing that already. You know, in the way like, "can you take a look at my file and give me some tips"... But to go in there and make actual changes to help people, or even worse, to go in there and steal the info and use it against people to make money, that's almost scary.<br />
<br />
Again, no offence CRA workers, you're all cool (well, 99.9% of you).<br />
<br />
But damn, if this isn't another reason to fear anyone who works for the tax agency, you know...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: <i>To all readers who work for the CRA, let's just forget that this post even happened...</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Connaught_Building.JPG" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Connaught_Building.JPG</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:SimonP" target="_blank">SimonP</a> on Wikipedia<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-86695981872677998892010-06-17T12:49:00.000-04:002010-06-17T12:49:55.330-04:00Smitherman Plans Attack Ads for Rob Ford in September...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZVilyTrr_I4bYNACRyx2fD8oW__e4vYeOudGTN1IZdj0Z4uGOudV9bhG0UrtVtPcLj6fCKu_Yh-1DfccYmzPsyciJYqWoUXAROIMNRFqpK1Wvvya44RL0h0VT8ams0ea8bp1VUGGZcOT/s1600/SmithermanFord.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZVilyTrr_I4bYNACRyx2fD8oW__e4vYeOudGTN1IZdj0Z4uGOudV9bhG0UrtVtPcLj6fCKu_Yh-1DfccYmzPsyciJYqWoUXAROIMNRFqpK1Wvvya44RL0h0VT8ams0ea8bp1VUGGZcOT/s640/SmithermanFord.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
With Rob Ford stealing the lead from George Smitherman in the latest Toronto Mayoral Race Poll (see <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/latest-poll-rob-ford-takes-lead-in.html" target="_blank">Latest Poll: Rob Ford Takes The Lead In Toronto Mayoral Race</a>), the Smitherman camp is in a panic, pointing fingers at each other in blame for his downfall. Campaign leaders are blaming the Smitherman base (his people-facing volunteers and staffers) for having a lack of motivation; while the Smitherman base are blaming replacement campaign chair Bruce Davis for the slide (as things have only gone south for Smitherman since Davis signed up).<br />
<br />
Overall, things aren't looking good for Frivolous George, and he's probably sweating more now than he did when the eHealth scandal was exposed... <i>I had to!!</i> ;)<br />
<br />
Anyway, as surprised as the Smitherman camp is in Rob Ford's surge in popularity, they still don't expect that Ford will be a serious contender come October. And they're planning a series of attack ads for Ford in September to ensure that they shake his credibility in time for the election.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from Now Magazine Toronto:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=175515" target="_blank">Smitherman slip-sliding - Front-runner no more, the heir apparent has turned the public off by just coasting</a><br />
<blockquote>You’d think that mayoral-frontrunner-no-more George Smitherman would be a little unnerved by the June 14 Globe and Mail/CTV/CP24/Nanos poll showing what’s-his-name in first place.<br />
<br />
Smitherman spokesperson Stefan Baranski called it a “wake-up call.” But not necessarily for Smitherman, although he could probably use one, too. It’s Smitherman’s base, the volunteers and people pounding the pavement for the heir apparent, that needs motivating, at least that’s the spin coming from the campaign.<br />
<br />
No one on Team Smitherman believes what’s-his-name (okay, Rob Ford – there, I said it) can sustain his momentum. Especially when the inevitable attack ads about Ford’s drunken adventures at the ACC or past domestic problems start running in September – that is, if he’s still a contender then.<br />
<br />
It’s been downhill ever since new campaign chair Bruce Davis came on board promising to “unleash” Furious George.<br />
<br />
Perhaps its that air of entitlement he’s been walking around with since this race began that’s rubbing the masses the wrong way. He’s been sleepwalking through huge portions of this race.<br />
<br />
His only major campaign platform announcement to date, his transit plan, has gone over like a lead balloon.</blockquote><br />
Now that Rob Ford is the front-runner in the Mayoral Race, everything from his past, as well as everything in his current daily activities will be brought up and twisted into a scandal. Especially from Political Operative Extraordinaire George Smitherman and his media pit-bull the Toronto Star (for the latest example of this, see <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/rob-fords-message-to-supporters-in.html" target="_blank">Rob Ford's Message to Supporters in Response to 'Set Up' Attempt...</a>).<br />
<br />
Given this, Voters should try their best to stick to the facts, and clear away all of the conjecture and hearsay that will soon run rampant in the media. One good way to do that, is to review information that actually has a factual basis, like Toronto City Councillors' Voting Track Record -something that can be done for 3 of the big 6 candidates, namely Giorgio Mammoliti, Joe Pantalone and Rob Ford. Here's an article that compares important votes from the 3 candidates that have taken place from 2007 to 2010: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/ford-vs-pantalone-vs-mammoliti-council.html" target="_blank">Ford vs Pantalone vs Mammoliti - Council Vote Comparison</a>. I mean, what better proof do you need of a candidate's policy-making track record, than how they voted while on Council?<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661578547/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661578547/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr (Smitherman)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662198802/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4662198802/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr (Ford)<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-8910349630664516102010-06-17T03:04:00.001-04:002010-06-17T03:05:15.211-04:00Rob Ford's Message to Supporters in Response to 'Set Up' Attempt...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwju4TxOiH5e5_MqVSCMgWFSzyAZkcjdOqha-q0Br6DlXEsEqLA-QZv_ybowlUir8Y2XZxF8vVUydCBnVTT3beguZ9VHFvyG9rldJA11u6YcJNaxPM8JiUjoCJy-QXiWcQNH5hhcOFtqjR/s1600/RobFordAndTeam_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwju4TxOiH5e5_MqVSCMgWFSzyAZkcjdOqha-q0Br6DlXEsEqLA-QZv_ybowlUir8Y2XZxF8vVUydCBnVTT3beguZ9VHFvyG9rldJA11u6YcJNaxPM8JiUjoCJy-QXiWcQNH5hhcOFtqjR/s640/RobFordAndTeam_by_ShaunMerritt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
An HIV-positive man who was introduced to Rob Ford by a Toronto Star reporter, tried to discredit and set up Ford via a recorded phone conversation, where he begged Ford to try and score some OxyContin (a narcotic pain reliever) for him since his doctor refused to give him any more.<br />
<br />
Dieter Doneit-Henderson apparently had a 52-minute long phone conversation with Rob Ford during which he threatened Ford indirectly, telling him things like, "I can see your house from here". He also told him that he knows where Ford's entire family lives, leaving Ford worried for the safety of his close ones.<br />
<br />
Ford played along with the psychotic Doneit-Henderson, telling him basically that he'll look into it for him, and trying over and over to get off the phone without offending Doneit-Henderson. Ford later commented that he had an inkling that Doneit-Henderson was recording the conversation, and basically said what he wanted to hear.<br />
<br />
It should be no surprise that after the conversation was finished, Doneit-Henderson immediately went ahead and sent the recorded conversation to the Toronto Star reporter that introduced them...<br />
<br />
Ford sent a message out to all of his supporters after this ordeal, and I've included that message below for your review.<br />
<br />
But first, here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2010/06/16/14417601.html" target="_blank">Ford feels 'set up' by drug tape</a><br />
<blockquote>City hall’s “enfant terrible” — mayoralty candidate Rob Ford — insists he only was trying to help someone in trouble when he offered to try to find an HIV-positive man some OxyContin on the street.<br />
<br />
“I personally feel sorry for him ... he needs help... he needs something,” Ford said Wednesday.<br />
<br />
The highly questionable offer comes out in a 52-minute conversation Ford had with Dieter Doneit-Henderson on the evening of June 4 — a tape of which was obtained by the Toronto Sun.<br />
<br />
In it, the 30-year-old gay married man admits to having taken 14 mg of OxyContin, a powerful and addictive pain killer, and 150 mg of Fentynal a day to deal with the pain of a fractured rib and fibromyalgia.<br />
<br />
After revealing to Ford that the last doctor he had gone to refused to give him more OxyContin, the councillor at first suggests he get it on the street.<br />
<br />
Later in the conversation Doneit-Henderson asks if Ford himself can find him some OxyContin, and Ford responds more than once that he’ll try, asking how much it goes for on the street.<br />
<br />
“Why don’t you go on the street and score it?” Ford says in the tape.<br />
<br />
When the man suggests he needs only two or three or four of the pills to “kill the pain,” Ford asks him to leave it with him and he’ll “ask people on the street” to see what he can do.<br />
<br />
At one point, Doneit-Henderson presses Ford for help.<br />
<br />
“Can you find OyxContin for me, Rob?”<br />
<br />
Ford says “Huh?” and Doneit-Henderson repeats himself.<br />
<br />
“Can you find OxyContin so I can get on the medication, so I can ...”<br />
<br />
Ford interupts. “I’ll try buddy, I’ll try ...”<br />
<br />
As Doneit-Henderson continues to press, Ford suggests he’ll go to his doctor and ask “people on the street to see what’s going on ...”<br />
<br />
“Leave this with me ... I have no idea. I don’t know any drug dealers at all,” he said. “I’ll bet my life I won’t be able to help you out ... because I’ve never done this kind of s--t.”<br />
<br />
Wednesday, Ford told the Sun he never intended to actually purchase drugs for Doneit-Henderson.<br />
<br />
“I feel set up,” he said, suggesting someone’s out to get him because he’s in first place in the most recent polls. “I went above and beyond to try to help him.”<br />
<br />
Ford said he was introduced to the man on May 10 by a Toronto Star reporter.<br />
<br />
Ford contacted MPP Donna Cansfield for her help with finding the man a doctor.<br />
<br />
He said he told the man whatever he wanted to hear in the 52-minute conversation because it started to concern him that Doneit-Henderson knew where he lived with his young family and was starting to become more threatening.<br />
<br />
Ford said he was “playing along” and tried to get him off the phone five or six times.<br />
<br />
“I just basically said what he wanted to hear,” Ford said, insisting he’s not into the drug scene and would never score.<br />
<br />
Ford said he had an inkling the man was taping the conversation — something that was confirmed in a June 9 e-mail to Doug Ford from Dieter’s husband, Colville, and on which the Star reporter is copied.<br />
<br />
An assistant in Cansfield’s office said they tried to work with Doneit-Henderson to find a doctor but it became a problem because he has had 10 doctors since he moved to Toronto from Ottawa on March 15.<br />
<br />
“We eventually got some threatening e-mails ... we didn’t know where to go next,” the assistant said.</blockquote><br />
Ford later sent out this message to his supporters:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>A Message from Rob Ford<br />
<br />
Dear <i>Supporter,</i><br />
<br />
You have probably heard about some serious allegations about me and my family that came as a result of my attempt to help someone in my community who was in need.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately this person's real motive was to set me up in such a way that would harm my campaign, because as you are aware, there are forces out there who do not want accountability brought to City Hall.<br />
<br />
In order to deal with an unstable individual who admitted to me he was using drugs, I played along with the conversation and I said what I needed to end the call without provoking him.<br />
<br />
My first priority is and always will be the safety of my family and I played along with the conversation to prevent the situation from escalating.<br />
<br />
I took this matter to the police since I recently found out this person had been posting defamatory and threatening blogs steps away from my house.<br />
<br />
I want to assure you this will not derail my plans to bring fiscal prudence and accountability to city hall.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your continued support.<br />
<br />
Yours,<br />
<br />
Rob</blockquote><br />
Don't worry Rob, I guess this comes with the territory of becoming the next Mayor of Toronto...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
PS: It appears the more SERIOUS political tactics have begun...<br />
<br />
PPS: To the Toronto Sun, my apologies for quoting so much of your article. I just felt that it was necessary in order to tell the whole story...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661579273/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/4661579273/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaunpierre/" target="_blank">Shaun Merritt</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-23100129241127983252010-06-17T01:46:00.002-04:002010-06-17T13:02:49.635-04:00Ford vs Pantalone vs Mammoliti - Council Vote Comparison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2cABgIc_xYkJoxAry7gTnNphpMwqXH58lIb_KXV1yl2QyQlZfwp9ERP2-4P5sH0hvco7ZjuTNMy5HbsCwipnTC7GyIe3oWn7rDZPhGnLTxAXs1an5-GyjocucueF98j1Mn4vxcFlC4-Q/s1600-h/TorontoCityHallCouncilChambers_by_HiMYSYeD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2cABgIc_xYkJoxAry7gTnNphpMwqXH58lIb_KXV1yl2QyQlZfwp9ERP2-4P5sH0hvco7ZjuTNMy5HbsCwipnTC7GyIe3oWn7rDZPhGnLTxAXs1an5-GyjocucueF98j1Mn4vxcFlC4-Q/s640/TorontoCityHallCouncilChambers_by_HiMYSYeD.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Did you know that Giorgio Mammoliti and Joe Pantalone voted against naming Toronto Streets after Canadian Soldiers killed in Afghanistan? Or that Rob Ford voted against banning cigarette smoking from Parks? How about that Mammoliti and Pantalone both voted that the TTC and EMS (Ambulance) should not be essential services? Or that Pantalone voted against reviewing the Capital Budget item by item?<br />
<br />
The Toronto City Council Vote Results provide great insight into the policy-making track records of 3 of our 30 current Toronto Mayoral Candidates, all of whom belong to that exclusive group of 6. Toronto Voters should try their best to find time and review the Council Vote results in order to make a fully-informed and educated decision in the coming Mayoral Election.<br />
<br />
I only wish that Rocco Rossi, Sarah Thomson, George Smitherman and all of the other candidates had similar documented track records that could be reviewed this comprehensively... (<i>Though some people may say that George Smitherman has a record that we're all trying to forget!</i>)<br />
<br />
I took the liberty of pulling the votes of Rob Ford, Giorgio Mammoliti and Joe Pantalone for 50 Toronto Council Votes that took place from 2007 to 2010. I went with the more popular vote topics, excluding the boring ones like tree-removals and etc. After reviewing the results, I split them into 4 categories:<br />
<br />
Taxes - 9 Votes<br />
Council/City Spending - 27 Votes<br />
City Business - 11 Votes<br />
Campaign Donations - 3 Votes<br />
<br />
I've included those Vote Results here below for your review.<br />
<br />
Take a look at the Vote Description, and how each of the 3 candidates voted, and see if their Council Voting Track Record aligns with their Election Promises and Platforms... Also, take a look at the Attendance of each of candidates at these votes... With all of the mud-slinging going around right now in regards to who is putting in the time at Council and who isn't, that's an important thing to note.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Let's start with the Vote Results for the Taxes Category:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu1-UO8dWVnjQdEWdQSf32q3bPPOlmD_P0E2xYHVxMpL8G46ZJuxhEGBDm8HqYcaH2GjpfEqYZFkvAFKP1d-Z3f4UCa21vlKoHzdew0jdzYju3TDJdX3prgpTkFFcVTUeWHnsa84DIhwr/s1600/Taxes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu1-UO8dWVnjQdEWdQSf32q3bPPOlmD_P0E2xYHVxMpL8G46ZJuxhEGBDm8HqYcaH2GjpfEqYZFkvAFKP1d-Z3f4UCa21vlKoHzdew0jdzYju3TDJdX3prgpTkFFcVTUeWHnsa84DIhwr/s640/Taxes1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Next, let's look at the Council Vote Results for Council/City Spending:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI9H563f-9WLYrO-J-S6W8mkfNroz1RjAL7o2alkk5uvGRzkpeeIKdkpf39M55nn8NMpMCT275u8qDlGJ2DUyrqQtKEMq5J1Kr-S7Si75m6eEE2OoAc69Uy8j6nDv1lrRn7GRoWbXA54k/s1600/Spending1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI9H563f-9WLYrO-J-S6W8mkfNroz1RjAL7o2alkk5uvGRzkpeeIKdkpf39M55nn8NMpMCT275u8qDlGJ2DUyrqQtKEMq5J1Kr-S7Si75m6eEE2OoAc69Uy8j6nDv1lrRn7GRoWbXA54k/s640/Spending1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEyv6myrMYOlhN7HHbdqF5C9SKm0N4xjwJMM73I2COy9apGEoYxyOaZC-YBE45vZfkkhJFW02aNBUubKSFmt36Csd47MiNWtbmY8ZAwctsIJoaCHwLMp3LW_dYufXZWHwY40oZXQIqOdx/s1600/Spending2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEyv6myrMYOlhN7HHbdqF5C9SKm0N4xjwJMM73I2COy9apGEoYxyOaZC-YBE45vZfkkhJFW02aNBUubKSFmt36Csd47MiNWtbmY8ZAwctsIJoaCHwLMp3LW_dYufXZWHwY40oZXQIqOdx/s640/Spending2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfP_qWQ0OhWKz33SnmEAaGC90QdevdYw2Ju8YLueTgZcINXXHrwwvHW4ituwcFOmYKe5MoWiyzar2s83CXxf9ZlHr4Bt1VAu13eGYiq9Ol1qTqyxnjYB1Aun_bgtuSetiFRrLLUiZY1ecs/s1600/Spending3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfP_qWQ0OhWKz33SnmEAaGC90QdevdYw2Ju8YLueTgZcINXXHrwwvHW4ituwcFOmYKe5MoWiyzar2s83CXxf9ZlHr4Bt1VAu13eGYiq9Ol1qTqyxnjYB1Aun_bgtuSetiFRrLLUiZY1ecs/s640/Spending3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Next, here are the Results for City Business:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2_hSjZOKJThP1Ya-PWo5eijOR419M9nNNUi4QU_DZP_QW7ukY84C0ssHe091HpwPqjzPY3jdydAKzrvyMbPh5C__aBAkq-Dg_W9-xkGZ3BExZvhsNaoOqMtDdnZhAHgL-9hyphenhyphenISLpaXfB/s1600/CityBusiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2_hSjZOKJThP1Ya-PWo5eijOR419M9nNNUi4QU_DZP_QW7ukY84C0ssHe091HpwPqjzPY3jdydAKzrvyMbPh5C__aBAkq-Dg_W9-xkGZ3BExZvhsNaoOqMtDdnZhAHgL-9hyphenhyphenISLpaXfB/s640/CityBusiness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And Lastly, here are the Council Vote Results for Campaign Donations:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkpQHCVHW6hCDyZQpJ8eLvtC9UopC6A64moCtaExU5jwR4O6TTDzKuG4fHXUrt8HclqERBBg8URrpLwdg-5Es6XF0YSKxZp6fnHJM-1reBzEZF6HPng0m5M_oo8OGHvFrmm32G3ob3279/s1600/CampaignDonations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkpQHCVHW6hCDyZQpJ8eLvtC9UopC6A64moCtaExU5jwR4O6TTDzKuG4fHXUrt8HclqERBBg8URrpLwdg-5Es6XF0YSKxZp6fnHJM-1reBzEZF6HPng0m5M_oo8OGHvFrmm32G3ob3279/s640/CampaignDonations.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you'd like to review the Council Votes in further detail, take a look at the <a href="http://robford.ca/councilvotes.asp" target="_blank">Council Votes</a> page on Rob Ford's website. Rob Ford constantly says that people should review his and the other Councillors' voting records, and therefore displays those results happily on his website.<br />
<br />
So, what do you think? Feel free to let the readers know your thoughts. I know I would love to hear them!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photopia/4152516217/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/photopia/4152516217/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photopia/" target="_blank">HiMY SYeD / photopia</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-61082509529448821392010-06-16T14:20:00.002-04:002010-06-16T14:24:08.180-04:00Seattle PD Officer Punches Lady in the Face!! Here's the Video...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59iJBLvvF7GbW8cG6NY16ZDwI10T67KF7VPB4sNvfNWSvhn4aOBhLCd-s7ZRwl8UkHuOHyTqytL3zwp4NUlPhCxnZ3sh56qMyV0qOWRs8H7R-zzLV57QXv3GWZW4v9pmbpWwvw_oE71eI/s1600/SeattlePDPunchesWomanInFaceVideoScreenshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59iJBLvvF7GbW8cG6NY16ZDwI10T67KF7VPB4sNvfNWSvhn4aOBhLCd-s7ZRwl8UkHuOHyTqytL3zwp4NUlPhCxnZ3sh56qMyV0qOWRs8H7R-zzLV57QXv3GWZW4v9pmbpWwvw_oE71eI/s640/SeattlePDPunchesWomanInFaceVideoScreenshot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The Seattle Police Department is conducting an internal investigation into a police officer who was recorded on a cell phone punching a woman in the face, after stopping her and a friend for jay-walking...<br />
<br />
Here's the video from YouTube:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TKnusZTKJj8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TKnusZTKJj8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
Pretty crazy, eh!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from Video:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKnusZTKJj8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKnusZTKJj8</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-35643923686991760842010-06-16T00:06:00.004-04:002010-06-16T00:13:53.673-04:00Satisfaction Study: Air Canada 5th Overall in North American Airlines...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kI1D2YAsvrfg67PekbEN938C0lMWUXqOXYRlCiL5J0lMCrEgK_gNoSUkba0tBPLutwErK5Ergmxddp2Or1slQrlUtnYmXU1oAgWdZphbUPiEExVPlFZjmLyG73t4rXgSbBnF6EBVRqlo/s1600/AirCanada_by_WestendRaider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kI1D2YAsvrfg67PekbEN938C0lMWUXqOXYRlCiL5J0lMCrEgK_gNoSUkba0tBPLutwErK5Ergmxddp2Or1slQrlUtnYmXU1oAgWdZphbUPiEExVPlFZjmLyG73t4rXgSbBnF6EBVRqlo/s640/AirCanada_by_WestendRaider.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
J.D. Power and Associates just released their "2010 North American Airline Satisfaction Study", and Air Canada placed 5th in Overall Satisfaction.<br />
<br />
The survey was based on responses from over 12,300 passengers who flew on a major North American Airline from April 2009 to April 2010. The results show that all Airlines improved in Overall Satisfaction by about 15% from 2009.<br />
<br />
Here's the Article and Results from the J.D. Power and Associates Website:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.jdpower.com/travel/articles/2010-North-America-Airline-Satisfaction-Study" target="_blank">Article: 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Study</a><br />
<blockquote>A recent study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates shows that overall customer satisfaction with airlines in North America has increased notably, with 10 of 12 airlines improving from 2009.<br />
<br />
The 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in seven measures (in order of importance):<br />
<br />
* cost and fees;<br />
* flight crew;<br />
* in-flight services;<br />
* aircraft;<br />
* boarding/deplaning/baggage;<br />
* check-in;<br />
* reservation.<br />
<br />
Carriers are ranked in two segments: traditional network and low-cost. Traditional network carriers are defined as airlines that operate multi-cabin aircraft and use multiple airport hubs, while low-cost carriers are airlines that operate single-cabin aircraft with typically lower fares.<br />
<br />
The 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Study measures customer satisfaction of both business and leisure passengers with major North American carriers. The study is based on responses from more than 12,300 passengers who flew on a major North American airline between April 2009 and April 2010. The study was fielded between May 2009 and April 2010.</blockquote>Here are the Rankings from the Study for Overall Satisfaction:<br />
<blockquote><u>Traditional Network Carrier Rankings</u><br />
<br />
1. Alaska Airlines<br />
2. Continental Airlines<br />
3. American Airlines<br />
4. Delta Airlines<br />
5. Air Canada<br />
6. United Airlines<br />
7. US Airways<br />
<br />
<u>Low-Cost Carrier Rankings</u><br />
<br />
1. JetBlue Airways<br />
2. Southwest Airlines<br />
3. WestJet<br />
4. AirTran Airways<br />
5. Frontier Airlines</blockquote>For the full detailed results, visit <a href="http://www.jdpower.com/travel/ratings/airline-ratings/traditional" target="_blank">Traditional Network Carrier Rankings</a> and <a href="http://www.jdpower.com/travel/ratings/airline-ratings/low-cost" target="_blank">Low-Cost Carrier Rankings</a> on the 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Study section of the J.D. Power and Associates website.<br />
<br />
In regards to Air Canada, it had the following ratings from the Study:<br />
<br />
Overall Satisfaction: 3/5 - Average<br />
Reservation Experience: 3/5 - Average<br />
Check-in Experience: 2/5 - The Rest (as in, Not The Best)<br />
Boarding Experience: 3/5 - Average<br />
Aircraft Experience: 4/5 - Better than Most<br />
Staff Experience: 3/5 - Average<br />
Service Experience: 4/5 - Better than Most<br />
Cost and Fees Experience: 2/5 - The Rest (as in, Not The Best)<br />
<br />
So, if you don't count the Check-in Experience and the Cost and Fees (see related article: <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/02/18-of-torontonians-crossing-border-to.html" target="_blank">18% of Torontonians Crossing the Border to Fly</a>), Air Canada Ranked Average or Better.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
Story Source: CNN: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/06/08/airline.satisfaction.study/index.html" target="_blank">Study: Alaska, JetBlue tops in satisfaction</a><br />
(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62067745@N00/2060079247/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/62067745@N00/2060079247/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62067745@N00/" target="_blank">WestendRaider</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-47032255685112755782010-06-15T00:50:00.000-04:002010-06-15T00:50:08.368-04:00The New XBOX 360 KINECT Controller! Here's a Video...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7-sr8Afj5px08Nc9GeQAqp4g6MXSCYzjvtGcmxL9MDs_bVjug94ZRaZWu07U4KTH06kMmBMHrwMeufGL385KBDTtKSnrjxOhsvQm6vkINVcQKrUzyk-JzkN_UXLJSCeFAsR5vY2DS1Ay/s1600/XBOX360-Kinect_by_nDevilTV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7-sr8Afj5px08Nc9GeQAqp4g6MXSCYzjvtGcmxL9MDs_bVjug94ZRaZWu07U4KTH06kMmBMHrwMeufGL385KBDTtKSnrjxOhsvQm6vkINVcQKrUzyk-JzkN_UXLJSCeFAsR5vY2DS1Ay/s640/XBOX360-Kinect_by_nDevilTV.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Have you seen the new Microsoft XBOX 360 KINECT Controller? It takes the Nintendo Wii type of gaming to the next level!<br />
<br />
Here's a video from YouTube that shows the various functionalities:<br />
<br />
WARNING: <i>The Actors in this video are really, really bad...</i><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fMb0LSsRnWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fMb0LSsRnWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
Pretty crazy eh?<br />
<br />
For more information on the XBOX 360 KINECT Controller, visit the Official Microsoft Website at: <a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-US/kinect" target="_blank">Introducing Kinect for XBOX 360</a>.<br />
<br />
As per the Microsoft site, the KINECT comes to stores in November 2010.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndevil/4699366666/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndevil/4699366666/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndevil/" target="_blank">nDevilTV</a> on flickr<br />
Video: <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMb0LSsRnWk&NR=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMb0LSsRnWk&NR=1</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-60800429144211884802010-06-14T23:39:00.000-04:002010-06-14T23:39:35.438-04:00Rob Ford's Lead Has The Toronto Star Spinning!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LPLHPlMl7QmliFaYKNFNW_DaSy1me9aElbK4CIY7B5mkbR78tUxKPcT64YlTh9W0HnWJ8r7fLqOYMkRSbAoi3-CwXEOwaxFkJMtCKT35PfTEglQboYB8-mVc2hLvjcXstDaiIwlzxHG9/s1600/TheTorontoStar_by_goaskalice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img 480="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LPLHPlMl7QmliFaYKNFNW_DaSy1me9aElbK4CIY7B5mkbR78tUxKPcT64YlTh9W0HnWJ8r7fLqOYMkRSbAoi3-CwXEOwaxFkJMtCKT35PfTEglQboYB8-mVc2hLvjcXstDaiIwlzxHG9/s640/TheTorontoStar_by_goaskalice.jpg%60%20width=" /></a></div><br />
Watch out, the Toronto Star's spin machine is working on full force now that Rob Ford is leading the Polls in the Toronto Mayoral Race.<br />
<br />
Usually the Star tries to be more under-handed in their attempts to glorify George Smitherman, while destroying Rob Ford, but their latest attempt in an article released today just went above-and-beyond their norm.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<br />
WARNING: The following article from the Toronto Star contains desperate and blatant manipulation, and therefore should be taken for exactly that and nothing more.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/823479--ford-and-palin-political-mates?bn=1" target="_blank">Ford and Palin: political mates?</a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Like Palin, Ford’s blunt if often blundering talk resonates with frustrated voters</b></span><br />
<blockquote>Is Rob Ford the Sarah Palin of Toronto’s mayoral race? From his own campaign: You betcha.<br />
<br />
Like Palin, Ford has been largely dismissed by the political mainstream. His frequent blunders are fodder for critics who say he is incompetent and unfit to lead. Yet his message of fiscal responsibility and smaller government clearly resonates with voters, much to the annoyance of colleagues on council and mayoral opponents.<br />
<br />
Two polls released this week show Ford in a dead heat with former frontrunner George Smitherman. The bombastic gaffe-machine is now trouncing both the current deputy mayor and former director of the national Liberal party.<br />
<br />
“People are tired of all these slick, fast-talking politicians,” said Doug Ford, who is managing his brother’s campaign. “The elitists of Toronto, or the establishment, are not voting for Rob, (but) the liberals are.”<br />
<br />
Ford’s team has been frustrated with how the “left-wing” media has covered the campaign so far, said the elder Ford brother.<br />
<br />
“It’s the same way Sarah Palin was treated” during the presidential election, he said.<br />
<br />
When asked whether he saw similarities between his appeal and Palin’s, the candidate responded in typical Ford fashion.<br />
<br />
“I’ve never really followed Sarah Palin — my heart is in municipal politics. I know she’s attractive. So all right, if I’m as good looking as she is, then all right, I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said with a good-natured chuckle.<br />
<br />
Doug Ford says his brother is, ideologically, a social liberal who plans to redirect savings from cutting back waste to social programs. Media attempts to link Ford to the ultra-conservative Tea Party movement or any of Palin’s policies are just another example of the bias against him, he added.<br />
<br />
“I compare Rob to grassroots, blue-collar workers. He’s out there for the little guy, the working-class person who is tired of overpaying the high taxes and not getting any services,” he said.</blockquote><br />
The Star reporter shamelessly pushed Sarah Palin related "trap"questions on to Rob Ford and his brother Doug, and then twisted and spinned their answers to make it seem like they agree with the Ford-Palin likeness.<br />
<br />
You know, the good old <i>ask them if they're like a popular controversial politician</i>, and if they say no, "<i>oh, they insulted that person</i>", and if they say yes, then "<i>they're exactly the same as that person</i>". You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. A manipulative journalist's gold.<br />
<br />
And given that I feel that Sarah Palin is an idiot, especially after watching her in the US Presidential Debates, having the Star compare Rob Ford to her really got me fuming...<br />
<br />
Anyway, eventually Doug Ford cleared everything up by saying that the media likes to use that Sara Palin manipulative tactic to discredit Rob Ford. And yet, the Star still chose to start their article with the sentence, "Is Rob Ford the Sarah Palin of Toronto’s mayoral race? From his own campaign: You betcha."<br />
<br />
Shameless and disgusting... Especially for a legitimate news organization... One of which I am an avid reader!<br />
<br />
Anyway, the Star goes on and on berating Rob Ford as much as they can in 1000 words or less, so I won't bother quoting all of that over here. If you want to read it, feel free to click on the article link above.<br />
<br />
But hopefully you get the point.<br />
<br />
Regardless of what you read in the newspapers, most specifically the Toronto Star, make sure that you are watching out for the manipulation and focusing on the facts.<br />
<br />
Make an educated decision this election. You, unlike the Star, won't be getting highly coveted press opportunities by backing and supporting their choice of candidate. <br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaskaliceithinkshewillknow/4081044855/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaskaliceithinkshewillknow/4081044855/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaskaliceithinkshewillknow/" target="_blank">go ask alice...</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-20702679635930720342010-06-14T23:38:00.000-04:002010-06-14T23:38:14.914-04:00Unlocking the Volume on Rogers Cable Box Remote Control<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OewnmCeDr85hkS4hDQZ6CHOQn_qYjl8InA1jflxz2uU_t683ExSKDxYpk5KLnC2-JVo-aZ2sjwcYweYSkNQMRsD_CLo4BTOedhF_NO9O8XF3oFK6lbFyJF2mV8aiKvlxYXUa6D_hhBFG/s1600/RogersCableBoxWithCat_by_AndrewCurrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OewnmCeDr85hkS4hDQZ6CHOQn_qYjl8InA1jflxz2uU_t683ExSKDxYpk5KLnC2-JVo-aZ2sjwcYweYSkNQMRsD_CLo4BTOedhF_NO9O8XF3oFK6lbFyJF2mV8aiKvlxYXUa6D_hhBFG/s640/RogersCableBoxWithCat_by_AndrewCurrie.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>Let's see you find a non-copyrighted picture of the Rogers Cable box that doesn't have a cat on it!!!</i>)</span></div><br />
If you just picked up a Rogers Cable Set-Top-Box, installed it on your TV, and now you're trying to control the volume with the provided Remote Control, you may notice that every time you press Volume + or Volume -, the TV light on the Remote Control goes on, and the volume doesn't change.<br />
<br />
This is happening because the "Global Volume Control" on your Rogers Remote Control has been locked by default to one device, your TV. And since your TV code has not been programmed into the Remote Control, it is doing nothing. <br />
<br />
Now, one would think that having the Rogers Set-Top-Box Remote Control on default control the volume of the...Rogers Set-Top-Box, but hey, who am I to question the all-powerful and all-controlling Rogers Cable... <i>Oh Rogers, I dare not mock thee...</i><br />
<br />
Anyway, after some searching (when having to deal with this issue myself today), I was able to find the steps required in order to fix this issue. I've included those steps here below for your reference:<br />
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<blockquote>How to Enable Volume Control for the Rogers Set-Top-Box<br />
<br />
1. On the remote control, press and hold SETUP until the last-selected device key blinks twice, then release SETUP.<br />
2. Enter 9 - 9 - 3. The last-selected device key will blink twice.<br />
3. Press "Cable". The selected device key will blink twice.<br />
4. Now, when you press VOL +, VOL -, or MUTE, the volume of the selected device (Cable) can be controlled regardless of mode.</blockquote><br />
That's it! If you were having this problem, I hope this helped you out!<br />
<br />
Now, just in case you wanted some further info about your Rogers Remote Control, I've taken the liberty of finding the Official Rogers site where all of that vital information is located. Here it is: <a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-18" target="_blank">How do I use the Remote Control?</a><br />
<br />
Lastly, in case you have any other questions about your Rogers Personal TV, I've included the links to their FAQs (SOURCE: <a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-A">Rogers.com - Using Personal TV - FAQ</a>) below for your reference.<br />
<blockquote><a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=10T-N" target="_blank">How do I create and manage my PINs?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-19" target="_blank">How do I see what programs are on?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=10F-V" target="_blank">How do I use Parental Controls?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=112-E1" target="_blank">How do I use the Quick Start menu?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=10Y-29" target="_blank">My PVR has no more room left to record! How do I fix this?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-18" target="_blank">How do I use the Remote Control?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-J" target="_blank">How do I adjust the settings on my Digital Box?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-L" target="_blank">How do I use my PVR (Personal Video Recorder)?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-M" target="_blank">How do I use Rogers On Demand?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-N" target="_blank">How do I use Pay Per View?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/category.php?id=YV-K" target="_blank">How do I use High Definition TV?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCable-Ontario/article.php?id=YX-2T" target="_blank">How do I use Picture In Picture (PIP)?</a></blockquote>Good luck and Happy Channel Surfing!<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewcurrie/3287862831/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewcurrie/3287862831/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewcurrie/" target="_blank">Andrew Currie</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-3868016573637735402010-06-14T19:37:00.004-04:002010-06-14T21:46:26.059-04:00Let the South Africans Toot Their Own Horns...Vuvuzelas!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP1GthSeFxazOhMKAqdMpvZuQqzPRQxoisQnaFruL7VyDAaBffPxe8dAIdqDMiMT-EynIqqnhYI-3erAxQO8ih_JbN6eKnvDL-MPDDHN57dfddvlAbpaFhp_63yf2v6nyhLqY4PcvQ-Ne/s1600/VuvuzelaDay_by_DundasFootballClub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP1GthSeFxazOhMKAqdMpvZuQqzPRQxoisQnaFruL7VyDAaBffPxe8dAIdqDMiMT-EynIqqnhYI-3erAxQO8ih_JbN6eKnvDL-MPDDHN57dfddvlAbpaFhp_63yf2v6nyhLqY4PcvQ-Ne/s640/VuvuzelaDay_by_DundasFootballClub.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I remember watching the first game of the 2010 World Cup while <i>conveniently</i> working from home that day, and hearing for the first time the sound of 60,000 vuvuzelas (the South African fan favorite plastic horn), and it really did sound like a swarm of bees... I just got a new TV (after my last one died...it was a sad day), so my first thoughts were #$%%@$!!! I thought it was done... Anyway, after verifying that the TV was ok, I started thinking maybe it was the broadcast. I had no idea that the noise was from all of the South African fans blowing their vuvuzela horns... Eventually I figured it out.<br />
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So, I continued watching the match, and slowly that sound really started to annoy me. Like many other soccer fans out there (<i>yes, I used the term "soccer"!!</i>), I started feeling like they should ban those damn horns. I mean, it's so annoying, and it distracts from the game... But after thinking about it, and watching some footage of the South African fans so happily blowing their horns, I said screw it. <br />
<br />
Let the South Africans toot their own horns, you know what I mean?<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dundasfc/4687820798/sizes/l/in/set-72157624052179457/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dundasfc/4687820798/sizes/l/in/set-72157624052179457/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dundasfc/" target="_blank">Dundas Football Club</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-68013052290778894812010-06-14T14:05:00.000-04:002010-06-14T14:05:44.720-04:00Ziplock Bag Filled with Water & Pennies Repels Flies & Wasps!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yDnKv_YWeyX2VD19nyvHOZczREgbH3s-23of1rY8EdJEb7o4sCFBYTNyNbQuIuy-eJcDHOox6J2xTsJ_3jRxsCEIHi_t6HMBi2R1zZqs5QYskZiLjIhKDpyMH4MQfeYVqbkd_82EFW4I/s1600/ZiplockBaggieWithWaterAndPennies_by_diaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yDnKv_YWeyX2VD19nyvHOZczREgbH3s-23of1rY8EdJEb7o4sCFBYTNyNbQuIuy-eJcDHOox6J2xTsJ_3jRxsCEIHi_t6HMBi2R1zZqs5QYskZiLjIhKDpyMH4MQfeYVqbkd_82EFW4I/s640/ZiplockBaggieWithWaterAndPennies_by_diaper.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
Apparently, there is a new tactic (<i>well, new to me</i>) that people are using in order to repel pesky flies and wasps from getting into their homes/restaurants/stores. It literally only costs a few pennies, and supposedly it works wonders! Not to mention, it doesn't involve the usage of any pesticides...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Basically, all you have to do is take a ziplock baggie, fill it half-way with water, and then toss a few clean and shiney pennies into the bag. Next, take the baggie, and hang it near all of the entry-ways to your areas where you want to repel the flies and wasps, and that's it.<br />
<br />
I looked up why this method works, and I found the following explanation at howtogetridofstuff.com:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-flies/2/" target="_blank">How to Get Rid of Flies</a><br />
<blockquote>Hanging a clear plastic bag half filled with water and a few pennies works to keep flies and other winged things away – here’s why:<br />
<br />
Water, itself, has zillions of molecules that all reflect light.<br />
<br />
Add reflective pennies and even more light is reflected for a mirror ball effect.<br />
<br />
A flies eyes (and many other winged things’ eyes) are like mirror balls themselves.<br />
<br />
So when the flies - or other winged creatures - see the water molecules reflecting light on top of the pennies, which in turn reflect even more light in the water – the flies basically get dizzy per se from all of the reflective properties and keep their distance.</blockquote><br />
A couple of weeks ago when I was able to steal a day to get away to a cottage (see <a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/05/random-nature-shots-from-beautiful.html" target="_blank">Random Nature Shots from Beautiful Ontario...</a>), I really could have used this tactic, as the black flies were in a rage around the Q-Barb (<i>or BBQ for those who are not fluent in jackandcokewithalime speak</i>)...<br />
<br />
Anyway, good to know... :)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diaper/2590590816/sizes/o/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/diaper/2590590816/sizes/o/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diaper/" target="_blank">diaper</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-78345511318541335162010-06-14T02:51:00.010-04:002010-06-14T14:27:51.618-04:00Latest Poll: Rob Ford Takes The Lead In Toronto Mayoral Race<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg437hrbnTLArxZLG157Fi2BNSkZRVfF94kWsrSXXiK0Nr7trvATCJ_SKKqoZMuvxw_qPxbDELFKZH_wifGTecTFh58cOx1Bkx-qnq2SliQM_zSwviGe0JJz06qrIbm1DrXvXLPNbEIOiIy/s1600/TorontoSkylineWaterfrontNight_by_veggiefrog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg437hrbnTLArxZLG157Fi2BNSkZRVfF94kWsrSXXiK0Nr7trvATCJ_SKKqoZMuvxw_qPxbDELFKZH_wifGTecTFh58cOx1Bkx-qnq2SliQM_zSwviGe0JJz06qrIbm1DrXvXLPNbEIOiIy/s640/TorontoSkylineWaterfrontNight_by_veggiefrog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
CP24, CTV and The Globe and Mail just released their latest Toronto Mayoral Race Poll, and it has Rob Ford as the new leader!<br />
<br />
The Poll of 1,000 Municipal Voters was taken by telephone and conducted from June 7th until June 11th.<br />
<br />
Here are the official results and story from CP24:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100613/100613_poll_mayor_race/20100613/?hub=CP24Home" target="_blank">New poll suggests Ford leading pack of mayoral candidates</a><br />
<blockquote>A new poll, commissioned by CP24, suggests outspoken spendthrift Rob Ford may be inching slightly over the competition in the race to take over the mayor's seat in Toronto's municipal election this fall.<br />
<br />
People were asked "If an election were held today, who would be your first and second choice?"<br />
<br />
<hr /><u>RESULTS</u><br />
<br />
Rob Ford: 17.8%<br />
George Smitherman: 15.9%<br />
Joe Pantalone: 10.1%<br />
Rocco Rossi: 9%<br />
Sarah Thomson: 5.8%<br />
Giorgio Mammoliti: 2.5%<br />
<br />
Undecided: 38.9%<br />
<br />
Margin of Error: +/-3.1%<br />
<hr /><br />
Rob Ford reacted to the poll by saying voters know he's a "no-nonsense kind of guy."<br />
<br />
"I'm going to watch every cent spent at city hall and they say thank God it's about time," he said. "People are actually thanking me for getting into the race."<br />
<br />
Ford says he will save Toronto taxpayers money by eliminating councillor perks. <br />
<br />
Rossi said he's going to keep working hard.<br />
<br />
"Slow and steady and hard work wins the race and I'm delighted we have a race," he told CTV News Sunday afternoon.</blockquote><br />
The Toronto Sun had the following reactions from Candidates to this latest poll:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/06/13/14375691.html" target="_blank">Rob Ford now in lead: Poll</a><br />
<blockquote>In an e-mail to the Sun, Smitherman’s spokesman Stefan Baranski called the poll “a wake up call.”<br />
<br />
“It’s clear we need to do a better job of sharing his vision with voters, and that is exactly what we will be doing.”<br />
<br />
“With Mr. Ford now as the frontrunner, we expect he will face the scrutiny his views and record deserve,” he said.<br />
<br />
Ford campaign spokesman Adrienne Batra welcomed the Smitherman campaign’s challenge to scrutinize her candidate’s record.<br />
<br />
“Mr. Ford would stand by his record any day,” she said.<br />
<br />
Ford - who spent last week raging about Councillor Kyle Rae expensing his own retirement reception to his office budget - called the poll proof his message is resonating.<br />
<br />
“There is no doubt that Torontonians are fed up with the waste and mismanagement at City Hall,” Ford stated in a campaign press release Sunday night. “My message to the residents of Toronto has been clear - I will clean up the mess.<br />
<br />
“On October 25th, when I am elected mayor, my colleagues will have to learn that it’s time to turn off the lights, because the party with taxpayers’ money is over,” Ford stated.</blockquote><br />
*************************** UPDATE ******************************************<br />
Here's a link to the actual Toronto Mayoral Race Polling Results Report PDF from Nanos Research, in case you're interested: <a href="http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-W10-T426.pdf" target="_blank">STAT SHEET - TORONTO MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2010-06 - Globe/CTV/CP24/Nanos Research Poll</a>. They asked Torontonians a bunch of questions, so the report is definitely worth reviewing.<br />
********************************************************************************<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgXQj2qZ33xDkHCBaXb6UtSR19s45WM45SJisbhOILsUBiDBr2KIBiN0VteW5K91O-UJGd1Ku4IaLgIMv136G7FqnF3Jh7FO_3VdSE3HrcJUAifMT9DS2vsPGRBy-Ni2eqFtMvwuvmFUb/s1600/6MainTorontoMayoralCandidates_by_RoccoRossi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgXQj2qZ33xDkHCBaXb6UtSR19s45WM45SJisbhOILsUBiDBr2KIBiN0VteW5K91O-UJGd1Ku4IaLgIMv136G7FqnF3Jh7FO_3VdSE3HrcJUAifMT9DS2vsPGRBy-Ni2eqFtMvwuvmFUb/s400/6MainTorontoMayoralCandidates_by_RoccoRossi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(6 Main Toronto Mayoral Candidates at The Habitat for Humanity Mayoral Debate)</span></div><br />
Meanwhile, the Toronto Star also released its latest Poll for the Mayoral Race, which was given to 405 people and taken from June 11th to 13th.<br />
<br />
Here's the Star's official results and story:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/823103--ford-catches-up-to-smitherman-but-voters-still-want-tory-poll?bn=1" target="_blank">Ford catches up to Smitherman, but voters still want Tory: poll</a><br />
<blockquote>Outspoken right-wing councillor Rob Ford has pulled neck-and-neck with George Smitherman in the Toronto mayoral race — but John Tory would blow both out of the water if he were to run, a new poll says.<br />
<br />
The survey of 405 Torontonians was conducted by Forum Research Inc. between Friday and Sunday and provided exclusively to the Star.<br />
<br />
<hr /><u>RESULTS</u><br />
<br />
George Smitherman: 29%<br />
Rob Ford: 26%<br />
Sarah Thomson: 17%<br />
Joe Pantalone: 12%<br />
Rocco Rossi: 10%<br />
Giorgio Mammoliti 4%<br />
<br />
Undecided: 44%<br />
<br />
Margin of Error: +/-4.9%<br />
<hr /><br />
“It’s a dogfight between Ford and Smitherman — they are well ahead of the others,” said Forum president Lorne Bozinoff in an interview, adding that 44 per cent of respondents in the telephone poll were undecided.<br />
<br />
The poll has some bitter fruit for Miller. Asked if Toronto is better off now than when he took office seven years ago, only 29 per cent said yes, with 38 per cent saying no, 16 per cent saying the situation hasn’t changed and 16 per cent undecided.<br />
<br />
“Those numbers say he made the right decision in getting out before he got kicked out,” Bozinoff said.</blockquote><br />
The Toronto Star, for some reason seems to be obsessed with the idea of John Tory running for Mayor, even though he constantly rejects the idea. Not to mention that he has a conflict since his son is on the Sarah Thomson campaign... Given that George Smitherman would be the only person to benefit directly from a John Tory late run, I'm not surprised that the Star keeps pushing that idea. <br />
<br />
...What? Yeah, I said it!<br />
<br />
Lastly, for your reference (and as a reminder), I thought I would also include the results of the Toronto Star's previous poll taken from April 8th to April 12th on 413 people.<br />
<br />
Here are those results and the story from The Toronto Star:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/yourcitymycity/article/796057--ford-surges-into-second-place-in-mayoral-poll" target="_blank">Ford surges into second place in mayoral poll</a><br />
<blockquote>The online poll of 413 Torontonians, conducted between last Thursday and Monday, puts Smitherman at 34 per cent support, followed by Ford at 27 per cent; Joe Pantalone at 14 per cent; Rossi at 13 per cent; Sarah Thomson at 7 per cent; and Giorgio Mammoliti at 3 per cent. Two per cent chose other candidates.<br />
<br />
<hr /><u>RESULTS</u><br />
<br />
George Smitherman: 34%<br />
Rob Ford: 27%<br />
Joe Pantalone: 14%<br />
Rocco Rossi: 13%<br />
Sarah Thomson: 7%<br />
Giorgio Mammoliti 3%<br />
Other: 2%<br />
<br />
Margin of Error: 4.8%<br />
<br />
Undecided: 51%<br />
<hr /></blockquote><br />
My biggest surprise in these latest polls is the rise of Sarah Thomson in the one by the Toronto Star! 17%! People must have been impressed by her in that latest Mayoral Debate! (I know I was...) <br />
<br />
The Toronto Star article had this to say about it:<br />
<blockquote>Also remarkable, Bozinoff said, is the fact that Thomson, the Women’s Post publisher and recently a political unknown, is polling ahead of Pantalone, the deputy mayor, and Rossi, the former chief executive of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.<br />
<br />
“She is making a very impressive showing,” he said, noting that her support among decided male respondents is only 8 per cent, while 26 per cent of decided women would vote for her.</blockquote><br />
So, depending on whichever poll you want to listen to, those are the latest results. <br />
<br />
The one thing that is certain, is that if you haven't taken Rob Ford seriously until this point, this is definitely a wake-up call for you!<br />
<br />
And Frivilous George, you may not be such a lock after all, eh... :)<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiefrog/4698125899/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiefrog/4698125899/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiefrog/" target="_blank">veggiefrog</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/roccorossi/4619046076/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/roccorossi/4619046076/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/roccorossi/" target="_blank">Rocco Rossi</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-36581864009540114592010-06-12T13:13:00.001-04:002010-06-12T13:15:18.980-04:00TFSA Hidden Charges More Costly Than The Benefits...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJqWECEZsOxKCsWEHkmU42bCqJdUCi40ymrl3i4lu2wS7huKLglNUEp4leFW1FHlPwEAxxmU4P15O5A51zUrnyBWD92PgKWEg2IhlYGA6FQZ0AfQbYP5xyBSr1bkTClm_YQ3zmkpbEWy4/s1600/TFSA_GovernmentofCanadaWebsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJqWECEZsOxKCsWEHkmU42bCqJdUCi40ymrl3i4lu2wS7huKLglNUEp4leFW1FHlPwEAxxmU4P15O5A51zUrnyBWD92PgKWEg2IhlYGA6FQZ0AfQbYP5xyBSr1bkTClm_YQ3zmkpbEWy4/s640/TFSA_GovernmentofCanadaWebsite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
As the old saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is... And that's what many Canadians are finding out with their supposedly "Tax-Free" Savings Accounts.<br />
<br />
Though the Government of Canada on their TFSA website (<a href="http://www.tfsa.gc.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.tfsa.gc.ca/</a>) uses words/phrases like "Flexible", "Tax-Free Withdrawals" and "Access" (as shown in the screenshot from the website above), they really should have used phrases like "Hidden Fees", "Read The Fine Print" and "Harsh Penalties"...<br />
<br />
You see, TFSAs are great if you plan on putting money in there, and never using it. But, if you do ever need to use the money, like for an emergency for example (which we were always suppose to be able to do), or if you want to transfer your TFSA from one Bank to another, be prepared to get hit with large hidden fees, if you're not careful.<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/business/article/822383--roseman-taxpayers-hit-with-penalties-on-tax-free-savings-accounts?bn=1" target="_blank">Roseman: Taxpayers hit with penalties on tax-free savings accounts</a><br />
<blockquote>Many Canadians who opened a tax-free savings account are getting a nasty surprise this month.<br />
<br />
They’re being penalized for excess contributions, even though they kept their balances under the $5,000 annual limit.<br />
<br />
If you have contributed the maximum to a TFSA and you withdraw any of your money, you must wait until the following year to contribute again.<br />
<br />
Removing and replacing money in a single year means you’ll get dinged for 1 per cent of the amount you contributed over the initial $5,000.</blockquote><br />
To clarify, here's an example. Say you contributed the full $5000 to your TFSA at the beginning of the year on January 1st. Then, on January 15th, an emergency comes up (like your car's transmission dies), and you need to pull out $3000 from your TFSA for repairs. Now, in February when things are better, you repay that $3000 back into your TFSA, to ensure that you've still contributed the max allowable amount for the year. Seems reasonable right? Well, not if you're the Canadian Government, as now you should be prepared to get destroyed with hidden taxes for this usage and reimbursement. <br />
<br />
The Canadian Government, seeing this as you having already contributed the full $5000, and then contributed an additional $3000 on top (not taking into account the fact that you were simply replacing the money that you used), will now hit you with 1% tax on the additional amount times every month remaining in the year.<br />
<br />
So, in our example, that means that you would pay 1% on $3000 x 11 months = $33,000 x 1% = $330!!!! In a typical TFSA, the tax-free interest that would have been earned would be around $48 for the year. Now, with this hidden 1% tax, Canadians will be completely on the losing end, therefore showing that this TFSA is nothing more than a new way to scam Canadians for more taxes on money that they've already paid Income Taxes on...<br />
<br />
Oh, how truly gullable and naive we Canadians are...<br />
<br />
Simply put, at the end-of-the-day, this shows that TFSAs are truly only beneficial to the rich, as people who may actually need to use the money (the poor) end up paying a huge price. While those who have absolutely no need for the money, can just put that measly $5000 into this account, and never use it, therefore getting the only true benefit out of the account...<br />
<br />
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says that this "fine-print" policy was implemented in order to:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"Restrict tax avoidance schemes and prohibit asset transfer transactions between TFSAs and other registered or non-registered accounts".</blockquote><br />
Yes, yes, another policy that is designed to stop the rich from milking the system, while punishing the poor for...well...being poor and needing the money.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshots taken from <a href="http://www.tfsa.gc.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.tfsa.gc.ca/</a> on Government of Canada website<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-18079674880877388052010-06-09T01:21:00.002-04:002010-06-09T01:22:57.721-04:00Secret Toronto Parking Ticket Cancellation Guidelines - Here's the link...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRbOng-oDPF-3FLp_YpsgxP68vi6XDO022_j3SpVOz7-bsbbjzuABYb0Fsg8TQeQT9ok685p4cbIN0s3FJpL8JdoRtxd_rwY9XYxpvtpUUqvKyr-3djhw1dJnUpcLOa_fHYDVIBjVADeu/s1600/SecretTorontoParkingExemptionsGuidelinesDocument.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRbOng-oDPF-3FLp_YpsgxP68vi6XDO022_j3SpVOz7-bsbbjzuABYb0Fsg8TQeQT9ok685p4cbIN0s3FJpL8JdoRtxd_rwY9XYxpvtpUUqvKyr-3djhw1dJnUpcLOa_fHYDVIBjVADeu/s640/SecretTorontoParkingExemptionsGuidelinesDocument.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After a long fight, Toronto City Councillors Howard Moscoe and Denzil Minnan-Wong finally got the Secret Toronto Parking Ticket Cancellation Guidelines document released to the public.<br />
<br />
Some examples from the document of Drivers who are given breaks on Parking Tickets include:<br />
<blockquote>Toronto City Councillors<br />
Drivers who live more than 100 km from Toronto<br />
Drivers who were attending Religious Ceremonies<br />
Drivers who were not sure which side of the street to park on<br />
Drivers who got multiple tickets for the same offence within 3 hours<br />
Fast Food Delivery Drivers<br />
Nursing Agency Drivers<br />
Tour Buses<br />
Taxi Cabs<br />
Limos<br />
Disabled Drivers<br />
Various Delivery Vehicles<br />
Security Companies<br />
Utility Vehicles and many, many more...</blockquote>Here's the link to the Official Toronto Parking Ticket Cancellation Guidelines document from the City of Toronto website: <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-31301.pdf" target="_blank">Parking Tag Operations - First Appearance Facility Guidelines</a><br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Star:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/820835--ticket-cancelling-manual-released" target="_blank">Ticket cancelling manual released</a><br />
<blockquote>The excuses that work with bureaucrats were made public Tuesday night when city council voted to release the holy grail of how-tos: the Parking Ticket Cancellation Guidelines.<br />
<br />
The 18-page report details exemptions for fast-food delivery, nursing agencies, tour buses, taxicabs, disabled drivers and delivery vehicles, among others.<br />
<br />
Like police, fire and ambulance services, city councillors on “city business” can have tickets cancelled for virtually any infraction.<br />
<br />
So why did city council make public some of its deepest secrets?<br />
<br />
“Myself and Councillor Moscoe have been trying to get it released for a long time, and staff have constantly been saying ‘It’s confidential, it’s confidential, it’s confidential,” said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong. <br />
<br />
“Here a group of bureaucrats have set up these secret rules that nobody knows about,” he said. “I think that there is a risk that once some of these rules get out that they may be open to abuse, and if that’s the case there has to be some consideration whether those rules should be applied.”<br />
<br />
Council voted 23-8 in favour of releasing the document and having the issue guidelines reviewed by committee.</blockquote><br />
After reading all of the exemptions, it seems like the only people who actually have to pay their parking tickets in Toronto are the average-Joe Torontonians...<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot of Parking Tag Operations - First Appearance Facility Guidelines document <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-31301.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-31301.pdf</a> on the City of Toronto Website<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-28069016104149333642010-06-08T23:59:00.002-04:002010-06-09T00:05:39.043-04:00Toronto 2010 Mayoral TV Debate #2 - Video Link & Thoughts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNaz2D1VMAZ9JP8aZG96n1gYtbTwsICbAN-0ihI3xA5-QkblUvvfqJL5V07l4daJXl-7v6cDD0WLbEUW8BN8kloXD24d_I-jpZ4Z8DpIyCpW6vzVz_jDH_3GJvsZ3FIGL7I_eRpgD2q7O/s1600/TorontoSunset_by_MarkWatmough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNaz2D1VMAZ9JP8aZG96n1gYtbTwsICbAN-0ihI3xA5-QkblUvvfqJL5V07l4daJXl-7v6cDD0WLbEUW8BN8kloXD24d_I-jpZ4Z8DpIyCpW6vzVz_jDH_3GJvsZ3FIGL7I_eRpgD2q7O/s640/TorontoSunset_by_MarkWatmough.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Wow, what an ending! Rocco Rossi went after George Smitherman, looking him in the eyes while completely dismissing his transportation plan, saying that it's one day "$7 Billion", the next day "$5 Billion", and here are some napkins and a pen to come up with the next figure! You couldn't help but smile when you saw that! :)<br />
<br />
Tonight, the second televised 2010 Toronto Mayoral Debate took place on CP24, and it didn't disappoint. <br />
<br />
If you didn't get a chance to watch it, CP24 has the full debate video available to be viewed for free on their website at the following link:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.cp24.com/election2010/" target="_blank">Your Vote - Toronto Mayor's Debate - June 8, 2010</a><br />
<br />
Overall, it was a far better showing for all candidates in this debate. As mentioned above, Rocco Rossi stole the show at times, most notably when destroying Giorgio Mammoliti over his plan for a Red-Light District in Toronto -questioning, which neighbourhood he plans to put it in. Giorgio was so shocked by the move that he mumbled on about something or other until his time ended, never actually answering the question.<br />
<br />
Sarah Thomson did much better in this debate, especially when given the opportunity to question Rocco Rossi. She asked him about his claims of being a "Political Outsider", while being deeply involved in politics from a young age, especially within the Liberal Party. It appears that she came far better prepared to this debate.<br />
<br />
When Mammoliti wasn't getting attacked, he actually made some great points. He commented on how bike lanes are incorrectly becoming an issue in this election, and how there are far more important things at hand. It's just unfortunate that his recently released horrifying plan for Toronto's Waterfront (see <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/820537--no-cars-on-the-gardiner-in-mammoliti-s-waterfront-plan" target="_blank">No cars on the Gardiner in Mammoliti’s waterfront plan</a>) completely dismiss him as a valid candidate in this race (watch for a post about that soon!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHSbNgutA1cc__3kHq5VRxj86rlf_0dhMddKcROre87rrUSTOQcYuzA4szk8nXR10LLusdz46oa0MMWgWt_5RAnQSQUKU12JTfqZRg149BVQXah70YT3aRE3XfVhdG5WHV2yRsuOrdAll/s1600/RoccoRossiAndRobFord_by_RoccoRossi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHSbNgutA1cc__3kHq5VRxj86rlf_0dhMddKcROre87rrUSTOQcYuzA4szk8nXR10LLusdz46oa0MMWgWt_5RAnQSQUKU12JTfqZRg149BVQXah70YT3aRE3XfVhdG5WHV2yRsuOrdAll/s400/RoccoRossiAndRobFord_by_RoccoRossi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: Rocco Rossi and Rob Ford at Parkview Hills Community Association Debate)</span></div><br />
Rob Ford had another strong showing at this debate. I wish he would have gone after Smitherman over eHealth when he had the opportunity (it was a great showdown I was looking forward to), but oh well... Ford lashed the $6 Million being spent on converting one lane on Jarvis to bike lanes, and stressed that public consultation should be used when considering changes to neighbourhoods. He said he wants to give money back to Toronto Drivers, and one way he'll do it is via the abolishment of the Vehicle Registration Tax. Ford said that he loves parades, and that all parades should get a chance for funding from the city. He specifically noted the Santa Clause Parade, the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and the Greek Parade. He also stated that Transportation is a #4 Priority right now, with Government Spending being #1. <br />
<br />
Joe Pantalone did better in this debate, at one point completely holding his ground against a Smitherman attack. Smitherman made the mistake of siding with the Ontario Government in regards to the TTC funding issue and the downloading of funds to Toronto. Who knows what Smitherman was thinking? Pantalone capitalized on this <i>empty-netter</i> if you will, and surprisingly came out on top. Pantalone also again confirmed his pro-bike attitude, saying he would give up his car if forced to give something up, and that he was for bike lanes on University.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to George Smitherman... Is it possible that Smitherman came out on the losing end in this debate? Don't get me wrong, he performed very well like he usually does as a seasoned political operative. He correctly called out Rob Ford on his mistake in regards to taking people to a Show or a Jays game during the G20 (with both either being moved or cancelled as a result of the Summit). But, if Smitherman's not the clear winner in the debate (or at least in the top 3), wouldn't that constitute a loss for him? Anyway, an oh too classic part of the debate was when Smitherman was asked, "if ever, do you think it's ok to lie?"... Karma, I tell you is behind him pulling that question from the hat! Anyway, did you notice that he looked straight down the entire time he answered that question? Yes, he looked up for a second maybe 3 times, but that was it. Eyes down just...well...like a liar would... Ask any professional poker player what a newbie does when bluffing...<br />
<br />
Anyway, who was the winner? Yes, yes, that's the question. Well, again, still, there were no clear winners. There were shining moments, many of which belonged to Rocco Rossi. Rob Ford again did very well, and one really can't help but believe him when he says that he will work the hardest for the little guy and Toronto -and that his biggest vice is that he loves to eat! Thomson, Pantalone and Mammoliti all did better, but were still amongst the middle of the pack. Smitherman did well, but not well enough, and therefore in my opinion finished last in this debate.<br />
<br />
The one thing I'm happy to say is that the debate was very entertaining, at least when the candidates actually got air-time. I wanted to avoid bashing CP24 again this time, but damn, they really need to back off and focus on the point of the show, which is to hear the candidates!!! I mean, how many people do they need being MCs for this program? ...I'll leave it at that.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/4656290318/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/4656290318/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwatmough/" target="_blank">Mark Watmough</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/roccorossi/4680601123/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/roccorossi/4680601123/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/roccorossi/" target="_blank">Rocco Rossi</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-5340469635973091722010-06-08T01:15:00.007-04:002010-06-08T01:28:58.221-04:002010 FIFA World Cup Complete Schedule Including Canadian TV...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqo0y_4AmcAwNQluecyZZukUVF-K3B0ZC9QtBwIm5pxcL-Cy3JVScgP1fqlM9U1o6kr6Q-0xJ3XC_fC4RvG5J-Ol9Zjy9OA6mwDErOYh1zQt1meZ717nToXRIi_Oe6RPdbu0kgYCGxKoJ/s1600/FIFA2010WorldCupSouthAfrica_by_Shine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqo0y_4AmcAwNQluecyZZukUVF-K3B0ZC9QtBwIm5pxcL-Cy3JVScgP1fqlM9U1o6kr6Q-0xJ3XC_fC4RvG5J-Ol9Zjy9OA6mwDErOYh1zQt1meZ717nToXRIi_Oe6RPdbu0kgYCGxKoJ/s640/FIFA2010WorldCupSouthAfrica_by_Shine.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
With all of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa fever going on around Toronto, I thought it only fitting to post the Complete Schedule (including Group Matches, Round of 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the Finals) with the Canadian TV and Live Online Coverage, on the site for your reference.<br />
<br />
Here you go:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The Matches will be shown on TV on either <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/" target="_blank">CBC</a> or <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/bold/index.html" target="_blank">CBC Bold</a>. All of the Matches will be available to viewed live online at the following CBC website: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/" target="_blank">CBC 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Click on images below for larger versions.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>GROUP MATCHES:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xqPdIf4fWrqRT5ONIc9RiXZCVU_R6_AbO8y8ggggULlVZ28ukwM9NaonRTyB9KpNdysGHuZtNCRQ5O-nRNRPYIcrmf-qTRGciYgZKhhriUlqJqAz4-GkyrdspHyz0mxaoBgqTvDJmzYe/s1600/FIFA2010WorldCupGroupMatchesSchedule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xqPdIf4fWrqRT5ONIc9RiXZCVU_R6_AbO8y8ggggULlVZ28ukwM9NaonRTyB9KpNdysGHuZtNCRQ5O-nRNRPYIcrmf-qTRGciYgZKhhriUlqJqAz4-GkyrdspHyz0mxaoBgqTvDJmzYe/s640/FIFA2010WorldCupGroupMatchesSchedule.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>PLAYOFFS:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH9MmABzF3tZc9065Wt6L1h2XvhF1hLZ4zdt63CH3M1Sm41IYfMEjU-ofUEvWUylO46pd_TfAMgjNtWhwjHCd3-xO29QlIGniEqzWoQfCew-1b3slohz1XtQfCsU0NorL_oOuEfiiPr1N/s1600/FIFA2010WorldCupPlayoffsSchedulea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH9MmABzF3tZc9065Wt6L1h2XvhF1hLZ4zdt63CH3M1Sm41IYfMEjU-ofUEvWUylO46pd_TfAMgjNtWhwjHCd3-xO29QlIGniEqzWoQfCew-1b3slohz1XtQfCsU0NorL_oOuEfiiPr1N/s640/FIFA2010WorldCupPlayoffsSchedulea.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The Schedule as shown in the above images is available on the CBC website at: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/broadcast.html" target="_blank">CBC 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - Online & Broadcast Schedule</a>.<br />
<br />
Also, FIFA has a fancy printable pdf version of the schedule on their website. Here's the link in case if you're interested: <a href="http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/64/42/24/2010fwc_matchschedule_3004_en.pdf" target="_blank">MATCH SCHEDULE - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa</a>.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shine2010/3974015140/sizes/l/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shine2010/3974015140/sizes/l/</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shine2010/" target="_blank">Shine 2010 - 2010 World Cup good news</a> on flickr<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-41610548835272333932010-06-04T01:55:00.004-04:002010-06-04T02:03:34.423-04:00Scary YouTube Video Threatens the Toronto G20. Here It Is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjPBIOrM0ozDvTnMFX_XEz5K_2oRKo-kZO-3fc1NxX3SLCxnmxrCTHNXTPsXHLNgroRXXDQosGkad8ym8GCN0dRrNriDGMMJvFcLz3DI-VWgcOgA8oGwxjCUZuJfaUfcFzYGRvCYc4fKm/s1600/TorontoG20ScaryYouTubeVideoScreenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjPBIOrM0ozDvTnMFX_XEz5K_2oRKo-kZO-3fc1NxX3SLCxnmxrCTHNXTPsXHLNgroRXXDQosGkad8ym8GCN0dRrNriDGMMJvFcLz3DI-VWgcOgA8oGwxjCUZuJfaUfcFzYGRvCYc4fKm/s640/TorontoG20ScaryYouTubeVideoScreenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The Toronto Sun reported tonight about a scary YouTube video (<a href="http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/scary-youtube-video-threatens-toronto.html">shown below</a>) that contains veiled threats to the Toronto G20 Summit. The video contains a credit link from an anti-capitalist group called the Convergence Des Luttes Anticapitalistes. <br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2010/06/03/14254416.html#/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2010/06/03/pf-14254416.html" target="_blank">Threatening rap video takes aim at G20 and T.O.</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>The lyrics in the song F--- the Law by Dead Prez pulsate as the soundtrack to a video posted on YouTube Thursday highlights some of Toronto’s most precious landmarks and treasures.<br />
<br />
It’s already alarming, but when you see the skull and bones image on top of subway stations, the cloaked threat makes the hair on the back of one’s neck stand up.<br />
<br />
On www.clac2010.net, which is credited at the end of the video, you will find the Convergence Des Luttes Anticapitalistes site with the heading “ATTACK THE G20 — TORONTO, JUNE 25-26-27, 2010” and describing itself as “a new anti-capitalist alliance” calling “for mobilization against the Group of 20.”<br />
<br />
The video is clever and gutless. Clever in that it uses our freedoms to disguise itself as either an intimidator or a tourist travel log and gutless in that whoever made is not courageous enough to put his name to it.<br />
<br />
This thing is as slick as it is sick. It plays like a target list — showing a map of inside and outside the G20 wall. On the video are closeups of streets, banks, hotels, condo buildings, parks and landmarks.<br />
<br />
Next to the skull and bones on the map it often says “Vous etes Ici” which translates to “You are Here.”</blockquote><br />
After reading that article, I was curious to see the video... I mean, what concerned Torontonian wouldn't be, right? After some easy searching on YouTube (using the photo provided in the Sun article), I was able to find it.<br />
<br />
It can be found on YouTube at the following link: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcJlJv-lvHA" target="_blank">Mon Voyage à Toronto (G20)</a>. Also, I've embedded it below for your review (for educational purposes only).<br />
<br />
<hr /><b>DISCLAIMER: The Video below contains material suggestive of terrorist threats, and also contains violent music lyrics with coarse language. Do not let your children watch this video. <br />
<br />
jackandcokewithalime in no way condones the suggestions in this video. In fact, jackandcokewithalime is completely disgusted with this video, and is only displaying it here for educational purposes. <br />
<br />
In more formal language: The opinions and suggestions expressed in this video, are those of the video's author (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/junioproximo" target="_blank">junioproximo</a>), and in no way whatsoever are those of jackandcokewithalime or this website.</b><br />
<hr /><br />
Based on the content of the video, I can't guarantee how long it will stay available on YouTube. I apologize if the video is removed by the time you try to view it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HcJlJv-lvHA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HcJlJv-lvHA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
Some sick and scary stuff, eh?<br />
<br />
With the $1 Billion Security Price Tag, along with all of these threats, it makes one wonder whether it's worth it to have this summit in Toronto... I know that's like allowing the Terrorists to win, but damn, I know I'll be worried when my girl goes to work downtown while it's going on...<br />
<br />
After seeing a video like this, do you feel safe with the G20 coming to town? You've already read my feelings on it, what are your thoughts? Feel free to comment and let the readers know.<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot taken from YouTube Video: <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcJlJv-lvHA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcJlJv-lvHA</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-66342703713155078472010-06-03T20:18:00.008-04:002010-06-03T20:24:31.480-04:00Ontario Is A Great Place To Work...If You're "Non-Racialized"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio22oN-6McXUOESV3_RvP64cLSNowplc-dqFEUS6rXWIxpPbFCjJiGmYBRxuU4bWZb-64qwXhNnxR6rhK725qztCRdWdxb3nFpY1emvkZn3RINBOFpfIzrwzHvnFtxwZzT_cC7ryMqaGQh/s1600/OntariosGrowingGapReportCover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio22oN-6McXUOESV3_RvP64cLSNowplc-dqFEUS6rXWIxpPbFCjJiGmYBRxuU4bWZb-64qwXhNnxR6rhK725qztCRdWdxb3nFpY1emvkZn3RINBOFpfIzrwzHvnFtxwZzT_cC7ryMqaGQh/s640/OntariosGrowingGapReportCover.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The CCPA, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, released a troubling report today that showed that "Non-Racialized" people are getting Signficantly Higher Employment Income than "Racialized" people here in Ontario.<br />
<br />
<i>In case you wanted to confirm, "Racialized" is described in the report as a person who identified themselves as a Visible Minority in the 2006 census. Therefore, a "Non-Racialized" person would be someone who did NOT identify themselves as a Visible Minority. For a far more detailed definition, see footnote #1 in the report, the link is provided below.</i><br />
<br />
You can review the 14-page report (pdf) on the CCPA website at:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/role-race-and-gender-ontarios-growing-gap" target="_blank">The Role of Race and Gender in Ontario's Racialized Income Gap</a><br />
<br />
The actual PDF Report file can be downloaded at the following link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/reports/docs/The%20Role%20of%20Race%20Ontario%20Growing%20Gap.pdf" target="_blank">The Role of Race Ontario Growing Gap.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Given that it's a fairly short and simple report, I recommend giving it a quick browse. <br />
<br />
I'll highlight some things below that caught my eye.<br />
<br />
First, some info provided about the report:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>This study looks at 2006 census data to describe the labour market experience of racialized Ontarians. It relies on Census data for Ontarians who self-describe as ‘visible minority,’ since Census terminology has not been updated to reflect the concept of racialization.<br />
<br />
<b>The Census findings show a striking difference between racialized and non-racialized Ontarians. Racialized Ontarians are far more likely to live in poverty, to face barriers to Ontario’s workplaces, and even when they get a job, they are more likely to earn less than the rest of Ontarians</b>.</blockquote><br />
Next, some areas that discussed the difference in Employment Income:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><b>Racialized Ontarians are paid less</b>: Sexism and racial discrimination pack a double wallop for racialized women in Ontario, seriously hampering their earnings. <br />
<br />
They made 53.4 cents for every dollar non-racialized men made in 2005. Racialized men in Ontario made 73.6 cents for every dollar than non-racialized men made. Racialized women made 84.7 cents for every dollar that non-racialized women made.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH8PZt-OVd5gArGtZ1_DyH9KGCIez8njWpMCBEYQ-q6Ere6U9XnV76E_OPVKkX3OYoCUG3ZFJz1V9spMeDwXix0YrLTmAGHe74gS6-yLaH4tTlT00Q0e1uEuOVuBOeV8xJsMIt1onRSJC/s1600/1-AverageEmploymentIncome2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH8PZt-OVd5gArGtZ1_DyH9KGCIez8njWpMCBEYQ-q6Ere6U9XnV76E_OPVKkX3OYoCUG3ZFJz1V9spMeDwXix0YrLTmAGHe74gS6-yLaH4tTlT00Q0e1uEuOVuBOeV8xJsMIt1onRSJC/s640/1-AverageEmploymentIncome2005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><blockquote><b>Controlling for age, immigration status, and education doesn’t eliminate the gap</b>: First-generation racialized Ontarians aged 25–44 who have a university education earn less than non-racialized immigrants of the same age and educational attainment. The gap is widest for first-generation immigrants: racialized women make 47 cents for every dollar male, non-racialized immigrants make. For second-generation that gap persists at 54 cents.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhMS4PPlzSVXTcz7niYNLR-5CB0mwff3ZLaqg9vPwl3UWahTKqCWGwbRlhHlfP451tAWTnPNC1xPTN8a_uNvJB1rvRWe0z_y_tZbEpEK-erwp35fnZS9DcezkTWdbF8TWzGLVlj3z6qaU/s1600/2-AverageEmploymentIncomeOntario2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhMS4PPlzSVXTcz7niYNLR-5CB0mwff3ZLaqg9vPwl3UWahTKqCWGwbRlhHlfP451tAWTnPNC1xPTN8a_uNvJB1rvRWe0z_y_tZbEpEK-erwp35fnZS9DcezkTWdbF8TWzGLVlj3z6qaU/s640/2-AverageEmploymentIncomeOntario2005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><blockquote>The findings show the employment and earnings gap between racialized Ontarians and the rest of the population remains stubbornly high — despite strong economic performance that Ontario enjoyed when this Census data was collected.</blockquote><br />
Here are some other interesting stats and comments:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpvkVqeSYKwxk_o31TfEOv-QdbkfPi00BlFnfy0gG0SpeZTsZ1tACgjdjO-7bCSJrAcB-86trLQ-S0dkMzvZrdcE_f9i70M7y4vaXKN5iS-Ouu-zIdnw_NJF_NwY23KgzUCq5g-VoUgkZ/s1600/5-RacializedShareofLabourForcebyOccupationOntario2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpvkVqeSYKwxk_o31TfEOv-QdbkfPi00BlFnfy0gG0SpeZTsZ1tACgjdjO-7bCSJrAcB-86trLQ-S0dkMzvZrdcE_f9i70M7y4vaXKN5iS-Ouu-zIdnw_NJF_NwY23KgzUCq5g-VoUgkZ/s640/5-RacializedShareofLabourForcebyOccupationOntario2005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lFRIwdOZAyHR9N2HmnkV-R4eDCB1OVi90v9-63ZatsnH1NbOdhyphenhyphenjPg27FE9UIM1sDgjP5jXRc0vQBiezdGS9y2Fea_e5DL2b4e4A6NqlNWMVVUTydJ-oSq4kysEYThTiiQCc578ixzN1/s1600/3-AverageEmploymentIncomeByRacialGroupOntario2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lFRIwdOZAyHR9N2HmnkV-R4eDCB1OVi90v9-63ZatsnH1NbOdhyphenhyphenjPg27FE9UIM1sDgjP5jXRc0vQBiezdGS9y2Fea_e5DL2b4e4A6NqlNWMVVUTydJ-oSq4kysEYThTiiQCc578ixzN1/s640/3-AverageEmploymentIncomeByRacialGroupOntario2005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><blockquote>Racialized men are most over-represented in manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and professional, technical and scientific services. Racialized men are most under-represented in public administration, educational services, health care and social assistance. Racialized women are the most over-represented in finance and insurance and in health care and social assistance. They are most under-represented in the traditional male primary industries and construction.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs06Kb-6L9g7ZT1msFsRWdVfPw3u721uYb0YjDkFgiyBnyNZg-xFToQN_hljPYCYyLcEydIlTZUaPqCavoRCPBMgMyF-i60xf2VXwl5503I8dq2W4qRPWoWUN23lGfhna-DTuh-6JCk2tj/s1600/4-RacializedShareOfLabourForceByIndustryOntario2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs06Kb-6L9g7ZT1msFsRWdVfPw3u721uYb0YjDkFgiyBnyNZg-xFToQN_hljPYCYyLcEydIlTZUaPqCavoRCPBMgMyF-i60xf2VXwl5503I8dq2W4qRPWoWUN23lGfhna-DTuh-6JCk2tj/s640/4-RacializedShareOfLabourForceByIndustryOntario2005.JPG" width="596" /></a></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Images:<br />
Screenshots taken from the CCPA Report: <br />
<a href="http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/reports/docs/The%20Role%20of%20Race%20Ontario%20Growing%20Gap.pdf" target="_blank">The Role of Race and Gender in Ontario's Racialized Income Gap</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-89395730429264846602010-06-03T00:44:00.004-04:002010-06-03T00:48:04.933-04:00The Top 5 High-Risk of Cheating Occupations for Women<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsDoiLXvv_rOBxJ8zq0gkkGP43AYhUU74QNLsY9cB9Tz2e0epSZZJWMqvqF8LgoGFfzLOuOTwiJE7NVfR-I0RsPp2m00Qv6B99IaekfGXHGk8vV_oKxVOTT1n91O3HlFOeWhBRKJNQlgS/s640/AshleyMadisonScreenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsDoiLXvv_rOBxJ8zq0gkkGP43AYhUU74QNLsY9cB9Tz2e0epSZZJWMqvqF8LgoGFfzLOuOTwiJE7NVfR-I0RsPp2m00Qv6B99IaekfGXHGk8vV_oKxVOTT1n91O3HlFOeWhBRKJNQlgS/s640/AshleyMadisonScreenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I found this interesting article on the Toronto Sun website today which listed - based on a survey from the Infamous Cheaters Dating Website AshleyMadison.com - The Top 5 High-Risk of Cheating Occupations for Women...<br />
<br />
Guys, if you're significant others are in any of these lines of work, you better watch out!<br />
<br />
Here's the story from the Toronto Sun:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/life/sexfiles/2010/05/31/14198711.html" target="_blank">Secret's out - Women cheat out of boredom, men wander for pleasure</a><br />
<blockquote>With Sun Media's latest Sex Survey dedicated solely to the subject of cheating - I decided to take a look at how women fit into this seemingly soaring trend.<br />
<br />
The answer may lie at AshleyMadison.com - the infamous website site that helps married people arrange string-free affairs - where new profiles being posted by females are skyrocketing.<br />
<br />
In Canada alone, the number of newlywed women perusing the site for string-free trysts jumped by 291% in one year, reaching 52,423 members by March of this year.<br />
<br />
<b>Who's more likely to cheat?</b><br />
<br />
Who do you think is most likely to cheat, a teacher or real estate agent?<br />
<br />
If you guessed teacher, you are correct.<br />
<br />
A roundup of 1.9 million user profiles on AshleyMadison.com found that females who work as teachers are the most likely to have an affair, compared to those working in other professions.<br />
<br />
<b>Here are the top five high-risk cheating occupations for women:</b><br />
<br />
1. Teachers<br />
2. Stay-at-home moms<br />
3. Nurses<br />
4. Administrative assistants<br />
5. Real estate agents</blockquote><br />
Phew... It looks like I'm safe. How about you?<br />
<br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot from AshleyMadison.com Website<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-51525031358550281292010-06-03T00:13:00.001-04:002010-06-03T00:19:59.290-04:00CP24: Regular Folks Who Download Odd Song - "We're Actually OK"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100602/100602_copyright_act/20100602/?hub=CP24Home" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS5I8-hku-AQiAnbpSEpQLqn6Upx8cgNSBxBLR_ESDBbvh6VNhfKmz8CLW65ACelxy5EX0khL8xcy4nZbzlPmePXRoO6NZzbUCeqH6XSqGh7E2ffDdx8aER2Vshn7ao4c8f20vgzTMrID/s640/CP24-MusicDownloadingOk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If you caught CP24@8 at around 8:39pm tonight, then you heard CP24's Rena Heer say -when discussing the Tories new Copyright Bill- that regular folks who download the odd song are actually ok.<br />
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And believe me, when I heard that, I stopped everything else that I was doing, and I rewinded on my PVR and replayed it over and over just to be sure.<br />
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I captured the relevant part of the news report text below (exact text):<br />
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<blockquote>Rena Heer:<br />
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<i>"For the time being and this seems to be the bigger question, is what about regular people just like us who download the odd song? Well they're saying that Regular Folk who download the occasional song, we're actually ok. Jee.</i><br />
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Jee Yun Lee:<br />
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<i>Well that's good because I know a lot of people who love doing that!</i></blockquote><br />
Now, I have a hard time believing that what she's saying is true, but if it is true, I'm sure many Canadian Illegal Music Downloaders will be thrilled about that!<br />
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Still, I'm pretty sure CP24 is wrong... I don't know...<br />
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I'll leave it to you readers. If anyone knows whether CP24 is correct in it's statement that downloading the occasional song is actually ok (legally) for regular people (non-commercial), then please feel free to make a comment and let us know.<br />
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--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Picture of TV Showing CP24 at 8:39pm on June 2nd, 2010 <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=812689964160142293" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812689964160142293.post-42962772240125899932010-06-02T21:57:00.063-04:002010-06-02T22:34:55.207-04:00Wipeout Canada Looking for Contestants! Here's the link...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/wipeoutcanada#%21/photo.php?pid=97383&id=115134881860797" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J-4dNO9g7ixTEbFSnvMcTqfEvodHYHmcjyVjUBY7wRH-YelvQ95N8zS419G504_jeQIKWjKHawC7HK5BAD7HzdZu6hmdVcRfD5qersig0R8ZZEpEgwqRAuTihIDvpm96deOkV2OPzJeQ/s640/WipeoutCanadaFacebookProfilePic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Yes, I admit it. It's a guilty pleasure of mine to watch these enthusiastic contestants run through a wall of punching gloves which about 98% of the time nails them square in the face and they go flying into a pool of mud. I can watch that over and over, and the soothing effect that it has on me, oh, it's the best. :)<br />
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But to be a contestant? Given that there's no chance that I would win, I'll just choose to sit back and watch the <i>Human Nascar Crashes</i>, if you will. It's the ultimate stress relief, especially after a hard day at work.<br />
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Anyway, Canadians, if you're a fan of the show Wipeout (see the YouTube video clip below if you don't know it), and you're looking to make a quick $50,000, Wipeout is coming to Canada and looking for Canadian Contestants!! The Entry Deadline is July 1, 2010.<br />
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Here are the details from the Wipeout Canada website, in care you're interested:<br />
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<a href="http://www.tvtropolis.com/wipeout/application/default.html" target="_blank">WIPEOUT CANADA - BE A CONTESTANT</a><br />
<blockquote>Wipeout Canada is looking for Canadians from all walks of life to apply - men and women, young and old, athletic and clumsy - all of the above. Fill out the application form now to be considered!<br />
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Here's a little tip for you: We're looking for enthusiastic Wipeout Canada fans who are ready to showcase their personalities and show Canada what they're made of. So be creative when you're filling out your application and be sure to submit some cool photos that depict the 'real you'. Also submit an audition video link if possible. The more we see, the more we get to know you - maybe give us your battle cry, do your victory dance or show us a costume - don't be afraid to think outside the box!<br />
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Applications will only be accepted via the WipeoutCanada.com website application form, but you can download a printable copy <a href="http://www.tvtropolis.com/wipeout/application/PDF/WOC_Application_Reference.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> to plan your answers ahead of time. The full application will take about 30 minutes to complete, so be sure to have some time set aside before you begin. Also, note that refreshing the page at any time will erase all form data.<br />
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Good luck! This site will close for entries on July 1, 2010 at 11:59pm ET.</blockquote><br />
And as promised, the YouTube video clip:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XyN2t_I613Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XyN2t_I613Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
--jackandcokewithalime<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Image:<br />
Screenshot of Wipeout Canada Facebook Profile Picture <a href="http://www.facebook.com/wipeoutcanada#%21/photo.php?pid=97383&id=115134881860797" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/wipeoutcanada#!/photo.php?pid=97383&id=115134881860797</a> on Facebook<br />
Video:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyN2t_I613Y&feature=fvst" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyN2t_I613Y&feature=fvst</a> on YouTube<br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif" /></a>)</i></span>jackandcokewithalimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459660574250332680noreply@blogger.com20