Background here.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tory Medal Recipient Back In Slammer!
TORONTO, Ontario, October 30, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Newly honored Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient Linda Gibbons was arrested outside the “Morgentaler Clinic” abortion site on Hillsdale Avenue East in Toronto at about 10:45 a.m. this morning.
Background here.
Background here.
They Call Them Political Parties...
...because you always have to look like you're having one. And Justin does. Sure his party sometimes looks like its going to become an all night kegger, but he keeps advisers around to make sure that doesn't happen. Never underestimate how far an outgoing, enthusiastic personality can take you in politics.
As for Forum, does it even matter anymore if their polls are crap, since crappy polls are all that's on offer these days? They're basically treating their surveys as adverts for the company, and its working. Read the papers these days and you'd think they're the only polling firm in Canada.
As for Forum, does it even matter anymore if their polls are crap, since crappy polls are all that's on offer these days? They're basically treating their surveys as adverts for the company, and its working. Read the papers these days and you'd think they're the only polling firm in Canada.
Who Has Sponsored The Shaidle's Latest Israel Trip?
Last time around, it was emphatically not Canada-Israel Committee (CIC), though one of their reps went along. The whole junket was planned in (semi) secret, as though the sponsor was ashamed of what they were carting along with them, and when a picture of the CIC rep in question appeared on the website of Shaidle's hubby, it was swiftly disappeared. Now the CIC has been folded into CIJA; so are these folks behind the latest adventure of Canada's most famous racist couple? That would be extremely disappointing.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
This Story Could Blow Sky High
TORONTO – The Federal Conservatives rejected the suggestion on Tuesday that they sat on an extradition request from the United States for a businessman who is close to senior cabinet ministers.
Nathan Jacobson, a philanthropist and businessman who was friendly with Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, was arrested Thursday in his Toronto home on a provisional warrant granted after a request by the federal justice department.
The guy helped process payments from "adult" sites, among other things. And I've heard worse stuff about him. The issue politically is, everyone knows him. Leftys, Rightys, in-between-ys. He's a genuinely friendly, charismatic guy. If he goes down, who goes down with him? Does his downfall trend Left or Right?
Opportunities For Blogging At Ontario Liberal Leadership Convention?
Are there going to be any? I'm told that the big do will be held at Maple Leaf Gardens, the site of so many glorious victories these last years. One rumor says it will be an old fashioned delegated convention. Another says the potentials will just get drunk and draw straws.
In any case, the federal NDP let us bloggers all in for free, and gave us a place to set up and write from. Frankly, they made it too difficult to get at the free food and booze--you had to swap a single MSM pass-card back and forth among bloggers and then fight Postmedia guys for a last lick from the bottom of the whiskey bottle--but they tried. Nevertheless, Ontario Libs Should be able top their performance easily. Because Libs are supposed to be the normal folk--you show up at one of their parties, and you get fed, liquored up, and maybe even laid. Just like going to a neighbor's BBQ.
In any case, the federal NDP let us bloggers all in for free, and gave us a place to set up and write from. Frankly, they made it too difficult to get at the free food and booze--you had to swap a single MSM pass-card back and forth among bloggers and then fight Postmedia guys for a last lick from the bottom of the whiskey bottle--but they tried. Nevertheless, Ontario Libs Should be able top their performance easily. Because Libs are supposed to be the normal folk--you show up at one of their parties, and you get fed, liquored up, and maybe even laid. Just like going to a neighbor's BBQ.
Monday, October 29, 2012
If This Ever Goes Through, I Got Dibs On "Haywood J. Blome"
Sixth Estate laments Dean Del Maestro's proposed ban on anonymous comments, missing an obvious countermeasure were it to become law.
Incidentally, P.P. "Weiner" is also a good one, because he's a real person.
PS. Needless to say Dean Del Maestro is stupid, and his stupid idea is also stupid. But, more than anything else, its doomed to ignominious failure.
PPS. Yes, he is a real person.
Incidentally, P.P. "Weiner" is also a good one, because he's a real person.
PS. Needless to say Dean Del Maestro is stupid, and his stupid idea is also stupid. But, more than anything else, its doomed to ignominious failure.
PPS. Yes, he is a real person.
The Tory War On Brains
The cancellation of the long form census has already degraded the nation's primary knowledge product:
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cancellation of the long-form census has started to take a toll on Statistics Canada's data.
The agency released its final segment of the 2011 census last week, focusing on languages. However it included a big warning that cautions data-users about comparing key facts against censuses of the past. That's because the cancellation of the long-form census forced Statscan to move language questions on to the mandatory short-form.
Statscan's lead analyst says repositioning the questions likely prompted people to answer them differently, especially when it came to questions about mother tongue and languages used at home.
As a result, Jean-Pierre Corbeil says the census is probably not accurately capturing the mother tongue of large numbers of immigrants who came to Canada over the past few years.He also says it's likely overstating the number of people who have English as their mother tongue.
Note that the problem with the data noted here is not even among those most often flagged by critics of the government change. Therefore expect unforeseen problems to crop up along side of the foreseen ones.
In any case, not content, the Tories have decided to go after the NRC:
OTTAWA - Nearly 100 of Canada's top researchers and scientists are facing layoffs in what the NDP science and technology critic says is just the "tip of the iceberg" in what appears to be the Conservative government's plan to slash funding for basic research and focus instead on research that's industry-driven.
"There's a much larger game afoot but it's being rolled out in a really stealthy way," said Kennedy Stewart, the NDP critic for science and technology. "When we look back in a couple of years we'll see that it really is part of a larger plan and it will probably have an impact on our international standing."
Which is to say that the indices that measure international performance in basic research will all show Canada ranking lower. A plot to render the nation incapable of doing anything but hewing wood and hauling bitumen?
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cancellation of the long-form census has started to take a toll on Statistics Canada's data.
The agency released its final segment of the 2011 census last week, focusing on languages. However it included a big warning that cautions data-users about comparing key facts against censuses of the past. That's because the cancellation of the long-form census forced Statscan to move language questions on to the mandatory short-form.
Statscan's lead analyst says repositioning the questions likely prompted people to answer them differently, especially when it came to questions about mother tongue and languages used at home.
As a result, Jean-Pierre Corbeil says the census is probably not accurately capturing the mother tongue of large numbers of immigrants who came to Canada over the past few years.He also says it's likely overstating the number of people who have English as their mother tongue.
Note that the problem with the data noted here is not even among those most often flagged by critics of the government change. Therefore expect unforeseen problems to crop up along side of the foreseen ones.
In any case, not content, the Tories have decided to go after the NRC:
OTTAWA - Nearly 100 of Canada's top researchers and scientists are facing layoffs in what the NDP science and technology critic says is just the "tip of the iceberg" in what appears to be the Conservative government's plan to slash funding for basic research and focus instead on research that's industry-driven.
"There's a much larger game afoot but it's being rolled out in a really stealthy way," said Kennedy Stewart, the NDP critic for science and technology. "When we look back in a couple of years we'll see that it really is part of a larger plan and it will probably have an impact on our international standing."
Which is to say that the indices that measure international performance in basic research will all show Canada ranking lower. A plot to render the nation incapable of doing anything but hewing wood and hauling bitumen?
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Congrats Bernie
The president of Gemini Power Corporation, Dr. Michael Dan is pleased to announce the appointment of Bernie M. Farber as Senior Vice President for Government and External Relations. Mr Farber formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Jewish Congress brings to this new position over 30 years of experience in government and public relations, human rights advancement and his own personal work with Canada’s First Nations which is a key partner in Gemini’s ongoing clean and sustainable energy development.
Here's hoping Bernie's new responsibilities don't stop him from penning the occasional Op-Ed piece on the same issues that have always concerned him. It would be a pity to lose that voice.
Here's hoping Bernie's new responsibilities don't stop him from penning the occasional Op-Ed piece on the same issues that have always concerned him. It would be a pity to lose that voice.
A New E-Book
...from Brian Lilley, the man who found Peter Mansbridge's lost chair.
But I bet it can't all be that exciting.
But I bet it can't all be that exciting.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Ezra, Hate Speech, And Sun TV: Shit That May Or May Not Be Going Down
From Dr. Roy:
I was on Sun Tv with Jerry Agar ( replacing Ezra ).
From that horrid social networking device know as Twitter:
Not sure of the provenance of this last item, as George Smiley might say, but I will note that @sunnewsmedia stills gets you results via google but seems gone from the twitterverse.
This of course is a follow-up to that.
I was on Sun Tv with Jerry Agar ( replacing Ezra ).
From that horrid social networking device know as Twitter:
This of course is a follow-up to that.
Ezra Levant...My Part In His Downfall
Well,it finally happened:
On Thursday October 11, 2012, Toronto's Roma Community Centre officially reported a hate crime to the Toronto Police Services and an investigation is now underway.
This was in response to overtly racist, prejudicial, and demeaning statements made by Sun News Network commentator, Ezra Levant, which were broadcast live on television throughout Canada.
And indeed the Toronto police have confirmed that an investigation is underway. The way these things work is they will interview everyone involved, including Ezra, and then decide whether or not to approach the attorney general. So Ezra will get a chance to do his whole "outraged" act, as with the gal from the Alberta Human Rights Commission back in 2008:
God, those were the days.
And I'll tell you a true story. Back in 2008 I was an up-and-coming blogger, and Ezra in the process of crashing and burning The Western Standard. He had bragged on his own blog that there would be some awesome video footage coming next morning, and to stay tuned for the exclusive. But me, realizing the time difference between here and Alta., got up early and pinched the footage off his youtube channel before he could post it, then shopped the link to NN and other news outlets. The rest, as they say, is history...the Neo-Nazis, the lawsuits, the repeal of S13.
Remember, old Ez didn't have much clout at the time; if he had pushed the story it probably would have gone nowhere. So in a way he owes me for relaunching his career. He couldn't have moved out of his dad's basement, come to Toronto and made himself a Fox News North Super Star, without my help.
Mind you, he also wouldn't have been able to launch his Anti-Roma rant and get himself investigated. Now the guy might wind up doing slammer time, married to the inmate with the most cigarettes. Funny how things go. Its almost like Life is a Wheel, that goes up before it goes down...
On Thursday October 11, 2012, Toronto's Roma Community Centre officially reported a hate crime to the Toronto Police Services and an investigation is now underway.
This was in response to overtly racist, prejudicial, and demeaning statements made by Sun News Network commentator, Ezra Levant, which were broadcast live on television throughout Canada.
And indeed the Toronto police have confirmed that an investigation is underway. The way these things work is they will interview everyone involved, including Ezra, and then decide whether or not to approach the attorney general. So Ezra will get a chance to do his whole "outraged" act, as with the gal from the Alberta Human Rights Commission back in 2008:
God, those were the days.
And I'll tell you a true story. Back in 2008 I was an up-and-coming blogger, and Ezra in the process of crashing and burning The Western Standard. He had bragged on his own blog that there would be some awesome video footage coming next morning, and to stay tuned for the exclusive. But me, realizing the time difference between here and Alta., got up early and pinched the footage off his youtube channel before he could post it, then shopped the link to NN and other news outlets. The rest, as they say, is history...the Neo-Nazis, the lawsuits, the repeal of S13.
Remember, old Ez didn't have much clout at the time; if he had pushed the story it probably would have gone nowhere. So in a way he owes me for relaunching his career. He couldn't have moved out of his dad's basement, come to Toronto and made himself a Fox News North Super Star, without my help.
Mind you, he also wouldn't have been able to launch his Anti-Roma rant and get himself investigated. Now the guy might wind up doing slammer time, married to the inmate with the most cigarettes. Funny how things go. Its almost like Life is a Wheel, that goes up before it goes down...
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Ontario Libs Only 10 Points Down
An Angus-Reid poll taken after McGuinty resigned and prorogued although, as Volkov notes, not long enough afterwards for the news to have really sunk in. Still, Hudak has blown bigger leads before. Hopefully, news like this will convince some of the leadership potentials that its still a job worth pursuing.
PS. Not that moving that gas plant wasn't the worst sort of pandering. The Ontario Libs really laid an egg with that one.
PS. Not that moving that gas plant wasn't the worst sort of pandering. The Ontario Libs really laid an egg with that one.
Senator Jim Munson On The Repeal CHRA Hate Speech Provisions
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Suck On It Mark Steyn
Climate scientist Michael Mann has finally filed his lawsuit:
Today, the case of Dr. Michael E. Mann vs. The National Review and The Competitive Enterprise Institute was filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Dr. Mann, a Professor and Director of the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University, has instituted this lawsuit against the two organizations, along with two of their authors, based upon their false and defamatory statements accusing him of academic fraud and comparing him to a convicted child molester, Jerry Sandusky. Dr. Mann is being represented by John B. Williams of the law firm of Cozen O'Connor in Washington, D.C.
Mark Steyn's piece was the one in The National Review. His defense, as far as I can parse it, is that when he accused Mr. Mann of committing fraud, he was not accusing him of committing fraud. As I wrote at the time:
Frankly, I know of nowhere that a reader, be they careful or careless, could interpret the term "fraudulent" when applied to a scientist's work as implying anything less than that they were guilty of scientific misconduct (the kind of thing they discuss here) or straight out fraud. I am unaware of any place the term has been used merely to state that the scientist's work is incorrect. This is quite a bit different than the situation with "blackmail", where there is an established colloquial sense that is weaker than the more precise legal sense (the colloquial sense does not entail criminality where the more legal sense does).
I will try and find out if there is a method of donating to Mr. Mann's cause. As most good Canadians, I would love to see Mr. Steyn tarred and feathered, but a successful lawsuit is likely to be the best result attainable.
Today, the case of Dr. Michael E. Mann vs. The National Review and The Competitive Enterprise Institute was filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Dr. Mann, a Professor and Director of the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University, has instituted this lawsuit against the two organizations, along with two of their authors, based upon their false and defamatory statements accusing him of academic fraud and comparing him to a convicted child molester, Jerry Sandusky. Dr. Mann is being represented by John B. Williams of the law firm of Cozen O'Connor in Washington, D.C.
Mark Steyn's piece was the one in The National Review. His defense, as far as I can parse it, is that when he accused Mr. Mann of committing fraud, he was not accusing him of committing fraud. As I wrote at the time:
Frankly, I know of nowhere that a reader, be they careful or careless, could interpret the term "fraudulent" when applied to a scientist's work as implying anything less than that they were guilty of scientific misconduct (the kind of thing they discuss here) or straight out fraud. I am unaware of any place the term has been used merely to state that the scientist's work is incorrect. This is quite a bit different than the situation with "blackmail", where there is an established colloquial sense that is weaker than the more precise legal sense (the colloquial sense does not entail criminality where the more legal sense does).
I will try and find out if there is a method of donating to Mr. Mann's cause. As most good Canadians, I would love to see Mr. Steyn tarred and feathered, but a successful lawsuit is likely to be the best result attainable.
Go For It
The next premier of Ontario will almost certainly face a spring election.
I like elections. In fact I don't think we have enough of them. In fact between elections I like to organize "pick up" elections with my fellow bloggers to pass time until the real ones. In any case, between now and the Spring I will start camping out at Randy Hillier's Facebook Page and wait for him to say something that sends Tim Hudak into conniptions. It happens, as night follows day. Also:
In the mean time, jockeying to lead the Liberals is well under way with sources saying Municipal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne has retained a campaign manager and will announce her candidacy soon.
Kathleen's my gal. I remember her from back in the old C4LD days. She's badass.
PS. No predictions, but if I had to, I would give Andrea Horwath a better shot at forming the next government than Tim Hudak. People look at him and think "squirrely".
I like elections. In fact I don't think we have enough of them. In fact between elections I like to organize "pick up" elections with my fellow bloggers to pass time until the real ones. In any case, between now and the Spring I will start camping out at Randy Hillier's Facebook Page and wait for him to say something that sends Tim Hudak into conniptions. It happens, as night follows day. Also:
In the mean time, jockeying to lead the Liberals is well under way with sources saying Municipal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne has retained a campaign manager and will announce her candidacy soon.
Kathleen's my gal. I remember her from back in the old C4LD days. She's badass.
PS. No predictions, but if I had to, I would give Andrea Horwath a better shot at forming the next government than Tim Hudak. People look at him and think "squirrely".
Monday, October 22, 2012
Congrats To Richard Warman
On Saturday Ottawa Centre NDP MP Paul Dewar gave out two politically-charged [Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee] medals, one to outspoken defence analyst Steven Staples of the left-leaning Rideau Institute and another to former Canadian Human Rights Commission lawyer Richard Warman, who has been vilified by some conservatives for his advocacy of hate-speech [prosecutions].
Meanwhile (from the article through the link) Torys are handing out these same medals to jail-birds. Apparently they hide them inside of cakes when they visit or, according to one rumor I've heard, they "hoop 'em". Google that one.
But why spoil the vibe with grotty details? Good going Richard. I hear those medals can get you into any disco in Ottawa.
PS. Reading it again, that last line is presumably a major bung-up on Glen McGregor's part. Add "legislation" to the end of it and you're in the right ball-park. And hopefully Mr. McGregor will make a quick change. Otherwise the Leader-Post may inadvertently land in "get your balls sued off" territory.
PPS. Change made. I've added the correction in square brackets.
Meanwhile (from the article through the link) Torys are handing out these same medals to jail-birds. Apparently they hide them inside of cakes when they visit or, according to one rumor I've heard, they "hoop 'em". Google that one.
But why spoil the vibe with grotty details? Good going Richard. I hear those medals can get you into any disco in Ottawa.
PS. Reading it again, that last line is presumably a major bung-up on Glen McGregor's part. Add "legislation" to the end of it and you're in the right ball-park. And hopefully Mr. McGregor will make a quick change. Otherwise the Leader-Post may inadvertently land in "get your balls sued off" territory.
PPS. Change made. I've added the correction in square brackets.
Alberta Oil Not So Ethical
An international group of ethical funds with investments in Alberta's oilsands is concerned the industry's environmental performance could be creating financial risk.
[...]
Ceres considers greenhouse gas emissions a risk because the industry's rosy forecasts of U.S. export growth don't account for the potential impact of low-carbon fuel standards, now under consideration or implemented in 14 U.S. states.
Ceres estimated in 2010 that if such regulations eventually cover half of the U.S. market, the export potential for oilsands crude would be reduced by 25 per cent. If such regulations were implemented federally, markets for the oilsands fuel could shrink by a third.
Ceres is these guys. So, hardly enviro terrorists.
[...]
Ceres considers greenhouse gas emissions a risk because the industry's rosy forecasts of U.S. export growth don't account for the potential impact of low-carbon fuel standards, now under consideration or implemented in 14 U.S. states.
Ceres estimated in 2010 that if such regulations eventually cover half of the U.S. market, the export potential for oilsands crude would be reduced by 25 per cent. If such regulations were implemented federally, markets for the oilsands fuel could shrink by a third.
Ceres is these guys. So, hardly enviro terrorists.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Heritage Minister Wants High-school Students To Suffer Through Cdn. History
I remember a university prof that told me in first year that the sum of Cdn history was a battle between the feds and the provinces over who could sell liquor where. And, as far as I'm concerned, truer words were never spoken. Teach Cdn history to high-school kids and they will either drop out, slit their wrists, or go smoke crack in the parking lot. Seriously not good for the nation.
And d'you know that suicide rates go up in any high-school where they're forced to listen to O'Canada? D'you know that the UN wanted to label the playing of it as being against The Geneva Conventions but G.W Bush. and Israel ganged up to derail the motion? That's why I had so much hope for that rap version they released years ago. But, in the end, it too turned out to be crap.
And d'you know that suicide rates go up in any high-school where they're forced to listen to O'Canada? D'you know that the UN wanted to label the playing of it as being against The Geneva Conventions but G.W Bush. and Israel ganged up to derail the motion? That's why I had so much hope for that rap version they released years ago. But, in the end, it too turned out to be crap.
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