Thanks and congradulations for two Canadian ledgends

Entrepreneur Mirvish dead at 92

Flair, dedication, infectious enthusiasm and unending caring are all words that describe Canada's discount king, Ed Mirvish.

Honesty in business, especially in retail sales has almost become an oxymoron but not in the world of the man who revolutionized retail in North America. The man was completely free of pretension, a claim that none of his cold big box competitors could ever claim. His gigantic, multi-floor store on the corner of Bloor and Bathurst streets in Toronto contests to his character. The store famously was called “Honest Ed’s.

Ed Mirvish, was a child born into poverty, but left this world as Canada’s leading patrons of the arts and humanity. Mirvish was known for his corny humour, using slogans like “Don’t faint at our low prices — there’s no place to lie down.” to promote his business. He was a man who took giving back to the less fortunate seriously, at Christmas he would give out thousands of free turkeys.

Sadly, Mirvish is no more.

He died today in Toronto at the age of 92 — just days away from his 93rd birthday.

David Onley named Ontario’s new lieutenant-governor

Ontario’s incoming lieutenant-governor who join a long list of governors who lead key “activist” roles. Over the next five years he says his aims are in the direction of improving the lives of people who, like him, live with physical disabilities.

Stricken with polio when he was three, Onley grew up to become one of Canada’s first on-air personalities with a physical disability when he joined CityTV in Toronto in 1984 as a science and weather reporter. In his long career with the station, he has also been an education reporter, a science and technology reporter, news anchor and producer.

Outside of his journalistic endeavors, Onley has been high-profile advocate for people with disabilities joining other Canadian role models, the likes of Terry Fox and Rick Hansen in offering kids with disabilities hope in turning their set backs into life embetterments.

Prime Minister Harper announced the appointment Tuesday, describing Onley as a “respected author, broadcaster and tireless champion for persons with disabilities. Through this work, he has demonstrated the qualities needed for such an important position."

Good luck,

Later,
Kenaz

Hypocrisy of Live Earth

Live Earth wasn't a bad idea, it just that I was not all that impressed with it. Live Aid at least raised money for feeding starving people. Where did the proceeds from Live Earth go? To the coffers of the Alliance for Climate Protection, former Vice President Al Gore's newly founded organization. For what good? to have more of these gross exercises in hypocrisy.

Lets look at the facts of this so called "green" initiative. Every performer and actor who took the stage expressed some form of plea to the public to do their part to help preserve the environment. Yet pictures of obscene amounts of garbage and plastic bottles littering stadiums in New York and London where splashed all over the air waves.

The most conservative assessment of the flights taken by the performers is that they flew an extraordinary 222,623.63 miles between them to get to the various concerts - nearly nine times the circumference of the world. The true environmental cost, as they transported their technicians, dancers and support staff, is likely to be far higher.The total carbon footprint of the event, taking into account the artists’ and spectators’ travel to the concert, and the energy consumption on the day, is likely to be at least 31,500 tonnes of carbon emissions. In comparison the average person produces 10 tonnes a year.(London's Daily Mail)

I’d have been more impressed with Live Earth if they’d actually put on the whole show without using a bit of non-green energy. Live Earth was just a big rock concert marketed with the “green” label to move more tickets and sell more over priced snacks and souvenirs to a bunch of people who couldn't care less about the environment.

Later,
Kenaz

Mr. Brant is a terrorist

Terrorist-def'n:"The unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives"

Mr.Brant and his small narrow minded band of thugs have said that they have guns and will use them if necessary. This group of stone age natives do not represent the majority of peaceful, hardworking native Canadians who strive hard to improve themselves daily. Poor water conditions,bad schools and a lack of affordable housing is common in all strata's of civilization. Natives are not the only ones who are angry at our governments for how they treat the underprivileged, so what gives the right for those are like minded to terrorists to feel they have the right to hold the innocent hostage?

This is the same type of atmosphere that permeated Ipperwash back in the mid-nineties - a splinter group of militant natives who threatened violence and were known to have access to guns. The rash actions of a woefully unprepared police force led to the unfortunate shooting of Dudley George. Two wrongs didn't make a right-the fact was, militant natives were conducting civil disobedience and flouting the rule of law and to demonstrate that the rule of law had to be respected, the Natives had to be cleared from the park. As we all learned, if a plan can't be executed properly things can quickly go bad. Since then, Fantino in an effort to save face in an election year, has decided to take the other approach and allow all sorts of civil disobedience with impunity - like Caledonia.

Our current government has taken some long-awaited steps to fast-tracking land claims. But we are far behind countries like New Zealand who have lived up to their part of the bargain and taken Native affairs more seriously. When the Canadian government and representatives from the Native people finally sit down and have meaningful dialogue, then, and only then, can we start returning to more respect for the rule of law. We all wish as humans to find resolve for the issues of land claims, safe water, Human Rights/Women Rights, Education, and Band/Police accountability.

As soon as we can reasonably prove by example that we are moving forward with priority and purpose, then guys like Shawn Brant and his thugs should be ashamed of their actions and live up too their word and turn themselves in and face their peers in court.

Later,
Kenaz

Happy 140th Birthday Canada!!!

Canadian comedian Ron James talking about something near and dear to Canadian's "Tim Hortons"

Canadian humour is unique to our identity in both French and English. While these traditions are distinct and at times very different, there are common themes that relate to Canada's history, geography, politics and our relationship with the U.S and the rest of the world.

Various trends can be noted in Canadian comedy. One thread is the portrayal of a "typical" Canadian family in an on-going radio or television series. An example, was the seventies sitcom "King of Kensington".

Another trend tends to be political and cultural satire: television shows such as CODCO, Royal Canadian Air Farce and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, monologuists such as Rick Mercer and writers, including Will Ferguson and Eric Nicol draw their inspiration from Canadian society and politics. Another trend revels in absurdity, demonstrated by television series like The Kids in the Hall and The Frantics, and musician-comedians such as Bowser and Blue. Satire and our ability to laugh at our selves is arguably what defines Canadian Comedy.

Canadian television comedy begins with Wayne and Shuster, a sketch comedy duo who performed as a comedy team during the Second World War, and moved their act to radio in 1946 before moving on to television. They became one of Canada's most enduring comedy teams, not just on Canadian television, but in the United States as well: they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show 67 times, a record for any performer. They were particularly famous for their Julius Caesar sketch, Rinse the Blood off My Toga, with its legendary catch phrase, "I told him, Julie, don't go!" Wayne and Shuster continued to appear on CBC Television until the late 1980s, with specials that mixed new sketches with their classic material.

Another pioneer in Canadian television comedy was, oddly, a news series. This Hour Has Seven Days, which debuted in 1964, was primarily meant as a newsmagazine, but its segments included political satire as well as serious news reports. Later series such as Royal Canadian Air Farce, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Rick Mercer Report have all drawn on the tradition of political satire established by Seven Days, and have been among Canadian television's most popular comedy series in recent years.

Canadian born Lorne Michaels, who had moved from Toronto to Los Angeles in 1968 to work on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, launched the NBC comedy show Saturday Night Live in 1975. Over the years, several Canadians came to fame as part of the SNL cast, including Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, and Mike Myers. Michaels also produced The Kids in the Hall for Canadian TV in the 1980s.

Many Canadian comedy shows, while not directly about politics per se, have made profound political statements by satirizing society and pop culture. This includes shows such as SCTV and CODCO.

Other shows, such as The Kids in the Hall, The Frantics, Bizarre, Puppets Who Kill and Trailer Park Boys, revelled in absurdist humour, making household names out of characters such as Chicken Lady, Mr. Canoehead, Bubbles and Super Dave Osborne.



Canadian television also frequently showcases stand-up comedians. The popular series Comics, based around one comedian each week, has been the first national television exposure for many of Canada's current comedy stars. Another series, Just for Laughs, has for many years presented comedians appearing at the Montreal International Comedy Festival. That series has also spawned the more recent Just For Laughs Gags, a practical joke show similar to Candid Camera.

One of the most famous figures in Canadian television comedy in the 1990s and 2000s has been Rick Mercer. Mercer began his career in 1990 with a touring one-man show, Show Me the Button, I'll Push It, about Canadian life in the immediate aftermath of the failed Meech Lake Accord. That show was a sellout success; in 1993, he made his television debut as one of the writers and performers on This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Mercer's "rants", short op-ed pieces on Canadian politics and culture, quickly became the show's signature segment. When he published a collection of rants in 1998 as Streeters, the book quickly became a bestseller. Mercer left 22 Minutes in 2000 to devote more time to his other series, Made in Canada. When that series ended its run, he launched the new Rick Mercer Report.

As with many other genres, Canadian television comedy also frequently plays with the topic of Canada's relationship with the United States. Mercer turned another 22 Minutes segment, Talking to Americans, into a 2001 television special, which was a ratings smash. In Talking to Americans, Mercer, in his 22 Minutes guise as reporter "J.B. Dixon", visited American cities to ask people on the street for their opinion on a Canadian news story -- the joke for Canadians was that the news story was always fabricated, and either inherently ridiculous (e.g. a border dispute between Québec and Chechnya or an annual Toronto polar bear hunt) or blatantly out of context (e.g. wishing Canadians a "Happy Stockwell Day".)



Other notable Canadian Comedians:
Dave Broadfoot (Royal Canadian Air Farce)
Mike Bullard (Open Mike with Mike Bullard, The Mike Bullard Show)
Brent Butt (Corner Gas, stand-up)
Sean Cullen (Corky & the Juice Pigs, The Sean Cullen Show, stand-up)
Don Ferguson (Royal Canadian Air Farce)
Luba Goy (Royal Canadian Air Farce, Bizarre)
Paul Gross (Due South, Men With Brooms)
Don Harron (aka Charlie Farquharson Spring Thaw, Hee Haw)
Ron James (Blackfly, stand-up)
Cathy Jones (CODCO, This Hour Has 22 Minutes)
Mike MacDonald (stand-up)
Eric Peterson (This is Wonderland, Corner Gas)
Gordon Pinsent (The Red Green Show)
Leah Pinsent (Made in Canada)
Dan Redican (Puppets Who Kill, The Frantics)
Kenny Robinson (stand-up, radio)
Nancy Robertson (Corner Gas)
Wayne Robson (The Red Green Show)
Mike Smith (Trailer Park Boys)
Steve Smith (The Red Green Show, Smith & Smith's Comedy Mill)
Tara Spencer-Nairn (Corner Gas)
Mary Walsh (CODCO, This Hour Has 22 Minutes)
Robb Wells (Trailer Park Boys)
Janet Wright (Corner Gas)
Lorne Cardinal (Corner Gas)
André-Philippe Gagnon (impressionist)

Famous Canadian Exports:
Dan Aykroyd (Saturday Night Live, The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters)
John Candy (SCTV, Uncle Buck, Spaceballs, Canadian Bacon)
Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Man on the Moon, The Mask, Liar Liar, In Living Color)
Joe Flaherty (SCTV)
Dave Foley (The Kids in the Hall, News Radio)
Michael J. Fox (Family Ties, Back to the Future, Spin City)
Phil Hartman (Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, NewsRadio)
Eugene Levy (SCTV, American Pie)
Rich Little (impressionist)
Tim Long (Head-writer for The Simpsons)
Howie Mandel (Bobby's World, The Tonight Show)
Andrea Martin (SCTV)
Rachel McAdams (The Hot Chick, Mean Girls)
Eric McCormack (Will & Grace)
Bruce McCulloch (The Kids in the Hall)
Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall)
Lorne Michaels (Saturday Night Live)
Colin Mochrie (This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Supertown Challenge, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Improv Heaven & Hell, Blackfly)
Rick Moranis (SCTV)
Mike Myers (Saturday Night Live, Wayne's World, Austin Powers)
Leslie Nielsen (Liography, Zeroman, Men With Brooms, The Naked Gun)
Catherine O'Hara (SCTV)
Will Sasso (Mad TV)
William Shatner (Star Trek and various spoofs thereof, comedic commercials)
Martin Short (SCTV, Primetime Glick, Saturday Night Live)
Dave Thomas (SCTV, The New Beachcombers)
Scott Thompson (The Kids in the Hall)

Enjoy your long weekend Canada, Eh
Kenaz

Garbage too smelly a reason not to pick it up?

This is no joke, this was an actual response to my querry to why my garbage was tagged as "over the weight limit" from Hamilton Waste Management. It made no sense to me, see if it does to you.

Email sent yesterday,

Wednesday is my trash pick up day. I placed a bag out today that contained cat litter that was tagged as being over the weight limit. This was not the first time this has happened, nor do I believe the last time. The reason, is not because my garbage is over the limit. The reason is because the person picking up my trash, for what ever reason, chooses not to take any bag that is too heavy for him, regardless of actual weight.

Proof being, I weighed my bag this time and it only weighed 39 pounds. Well below the 50 that is allowed.

The last time a bag of similar bag was refused, I was able to call and state my case. I stated then the bag was under the limit, but was left. I was told to split the bag up and leave it out the next day and it would be picked up. It wasn't. I had to have smelly cat litter sit in my basement for another week.

My point is, if you have a fifty pound limit, that I can easily carry out of the basement to the curb, why can't a man who I have personally seen, who weighs more than me at 175lbs take my trash and lift it into the truck?

Furthermore, I personally overheard this man as I was getting ready to exit my house to go to work at 7:45am tell his co-worker not to pick up my bag even though he was capable of doing so.

If the City of Hamilton is unable to find capable sanitation workers, than its time to review their policies. I hope this matter can be cleaned up, I do not like my garbage not to be picked because of a lazy city worker.

Reply, today from: Waste Management - Customer Service,

Thank you for your email.

I am curious as to how you are placing out your cat litter, can you please let me know if you are double bagging the material or are you mixing it in within your bags.I think the issue is more to do with the cat litter than anything.

What we ask is that you spread the cat litter in your bags, and double bag it so that the material is contained. If people put it out single bagged and separate then when the truck crushes the waste the feces, urine etc ends up spraying in their faces and they are breathing in this animal waste.

My email tonight, trying to make sense of this reply.

My litter is always first placed in kitchen bags then placed into two green garbage bags so that the odour is contained. I then sometimes place the bag(s) with my other garbage into a plastic can if it isn't too heavy. Odour has never been a reason given to refuse my garbage, as I said it was erroneously the weight. I work at Hotz Environmental so I'm well aware of the smell of ammonia as well as the precautions that should be taken to avoid getting a face full of it. I've had the same problem with this driver, and each time got a different excuse to why the trash was tagged or just left. The weight is fine and I'm sorry garbage smells. I pay city taxes and expect proper trash pick up, I hope this matter is settled.

Stay tuned to "Kenaz's Blog" because ur-in the bag to know the conclusion(?) of this odourific tale. I'm sorry I'm not very puny.

Later,
Kenaz

Summer Tarot and Rune Reading

I've returned to my favourite Tarot and Rune reading sights to bring you a Summer reading. My Spring reading was accurate in a sense, I did leave a dead end job for something better.

For each reading I used the general question: What does the Summer have in store for me? As well for each the Celtic cross spread was used.

TAROT

Review of the ten card Celtic Spread.

The deck is first spread out face down in the middle of the table and mixed up thoroughly. The cards are then gathered and played out one card at a time, face up.

The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most common tarot spreads. There is a cross in the center, with a row of 4 cards along the side. This spread will provide a fairly in-depth look at a situation including past, present and external influences. Beginners may want to start with a spread with fewer cards.

This is a more advanced spread utilising ten cards. It is unusual as card number two is placed sideways across card number one. This card should be read as dignified when interpreting the meaning. The cards should be turned over one at a time and addressed individually before being brought together to present a unified reading.

1. The Question: This card relates to the question that is being asked and also the motives behind it. It also indicates the emotions or issues on the seeker's mind.
2. Possible Obstacles: This card has an important influence on the seeker or the question that is being asked.
3. The Past: The background to the need for the requested question to be answered. The history that produced the question itself
4. The Present: The here and now. Present emotional states and feelings
5. The Near Future: That which lies just around the corner.
6. The Far Future: That which can be anticipated but not yet seen.
7. Personal attitudes: The Seeker's attitudes towards the question that has been asked. Also an indicator of how they see themselves.
8. An Outside Perspective: How those around the Seeker see or interpret the issue at hand.
9. Hopes and Fears: The positive and negative connotations of the question.
10. The outcome: The final result or answer.

Here is the spread:

Lister Block receives much needed funding

Hamilton's famous downtown eyesore the Lister Block has been under a dark cloud of pessimism for more than a decade. The plywood boards covering the grand buildings history from prying eyes have become home for every poster hanger and pigeon in the city. The gloom surrounding the building is so thick the only ones enjoying the site are the reported "spirits" from times past that are said to roam the interiors.

Some of the stale air was lifted yesterday, when Premier Dalton McGuinty made yet another election-campaign stop here to announce that the provincial government will give Hamilton $7 million toward redevelopment of the decaying landmark. The money will allow the city to relocate the public health department to the Lister, becoming an anchor tenant for phase one of the revitalization project.

The Liberal team insists this isn't an election scheme to buy support in a strategically important region where several key Liberal MPPs are stepping down, and their seats will be hotly contested. And if you believe that fish tale, you will buy that City Hall is a cute fixer upper that just needs a little paint.

Political "jockey shorts" adjusting aside, this is some welcoming news for Hamilton. There's no denying the Lister's symbolic and practical value to core revitalization. The salvaged relic will bring much needed rejuvenation to the campaign. This project is the start of Hamilton's field of dreams, build a keystone and the rest of the puzzle will fall into place.

Unless the current city council blows it that is. Now is not the time for squabbling and heel dragging, lets sit down and nail down all the loose ends and get this happening. The money is now available, and the developers are eager. So are neighbouring businesses and residents who've lived next door to a rotting hulk for too long. One owner of a coffee shop even showed off her "Lister Block Happy Dance" on the evening news, hopefully more business owners and customers alike will break out their dancing shoes.

God knows, Hamiltonian's are ready to see the scaffolding go up around the Lister and other key buildings in the downtown, cheers to our future!

Later,
Kenaz

One last Oskie-Wee-Wee for two Tiger Cat ledgends

It was inevitable that some day Hamilton Tiger Cat fans would no longer hear the names of two of their all time favourite players being called out over the loud speaker. Yesterday was that sad day, the Cats announced the release of linebacker Rob Hitchcock and wide receiver Mike Morreale. It wasn't a big shock, it was obvious that the best playing days where behind both players and it was best for both players to go while they where on top.

Like any loss of this calibre though, it will be extremely tough to fill the void left by these Canadian hero's. Hitchcock played 12 seasons, all with Hamilton, in 200 games he cemented his eventual place on the Ticats wall of fame by becoming the all-time leader in defensive tackles (482) as well as special teams tackles (122) and also recorded the third most interceptions in team history (36).

Hamilton's "Iron Man", Morreale played eight seasons in Hamilton, 12 in the CFL, and remarkably never missed a single game in that entire span. In 216 career games, Morreale recorded 509 receptions for 6,649 yards and 24 touchdowns. He captured two Grey Cups, one with Toronto in 1996 and one with Hamilton in which he was named the championship's Most Outstanding Canadian in 1999.

Cheers guys and thanks for the memories.

Later,
Kenaz

Mistake righted offers dignity to our dead soldiers

Canadian soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan will finally be treated with the same dignity as fallen RCMP officers when it comes to their funerals.

The Defence Department quietly tucked their tales between their collective legs and admitted their mistakes by more than doubling the burial money given to the families of soldiers killed in the line of duty, bringing the military in line with support the Mounties offer members.

The new rate of $12,700 came into effect amid a torrent of disbelief over unpaid funeral expenses. Better still, the money will be available to all service members killed since Canada began its involvement in Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001.

The old rate of $4,675 had been the same for almost a decade and was no where near enough the $8,500 the average funeral costs today. Many financially strapped families
of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and elsewhere were forced to borrow to make up the difference.

One of those families where the parents of fallen soldier, Corporal Matthew Dinning, who came forward at a news conference on Parliament Hill to outline how they had asked for reimbursement twice in the year since their son had been killed only to receive the brush-off by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor.

The new benefits package also pays for items not previously covered, such as obituary notices, flowers and receptions following the service. Comfort to the families of fifty-seven Canadian soldiers who have been killed in Afghanistan and a handful of others have died in training accidents.

Even if O'Conner won't show he has class and speak to these families and make amends at least Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier showed what kind of man he is when he phoned the Dinning family to apologize for not dealing with their concerns sooner.

Finally justice served even if it took embarrassing the Conservative Government and exposing just how deplorable they are.

Peace, to all those who have sacrificed.
Kenaz

Hamilton needs a new city hall

Oops! They did it again. Like Britney, it seems like Hamilton City Council on a regular basis finds themselves exposing their vulnerabilities for everyone to see. They bickered for more than thirty years over Red Hill Creek; poured millions into changing directions of streets only to make downtown a traffic nightmare; squandered the Maple Leaf Foods deal that cost thousands of jobs; chased every millionaire who even whispered the hint of moving an NHL team without offering a shred of evidence Hamilton can even support a team and lost the bid to host the Commonwealth Games, twice.

Now, the "old guard", old in the sense of out of touch, have voted to put Band-Aids on our deteriorating, outdated and inefficient eyesore that is our City Hall. Hamilton is the only major city in Canada not to have a modern centre in which to conduct business. City Hall should be the jewell of Main Street, with an inviting entrance that beckons the average joe and multi-corporation alike to enter its hallow halls to conduct business and bring much needed revenue to the city coffers.

Instead an ugly box surrounded by a concrete deck devoid of any green is what we offer visitors. Pretty stomach turning if you ask me. So I totally don't understand the decision of councillors like Sam Merulla to not want to build a new city hall but instead renovate a dilapidated building. A decision that will not only be a more costly one in the long haul, but will permanently cast a myopia over Mayor Fred Eisenberger's "new vision" for Hamilton.

The old councillors weren't listening. They were more concerned with how they looked. City councillors are elected to show bold leadership and sometimes make unpopular decisions because they are the right decisions, not worry about their image and Mr. Merulla has the most bloated ego. The councillor needs to start seeing the trees for the forest even if it interferes in anyway with his individual political aspirations.

Later,
Kenaz

Oh, so sorry!, wrong number

This dumb ass makes the guy who grabbed the cash box off a GO bus in Hamilton and was found by cops sitting in the bus shelter with the box and a bag of drugs last week, look like a rocket scientist.

In Gulfport, Florida investigators arrested a 14-year-old boy who dialed a wrong number. Th punk offered to sell drugs to the person on the other end, who happened to be a police detective.

After the call, the detective arranged to meet the teen in the parking lot of a school to buy an ounce of marijuana and some crack cocaine. When swifty showed up he was charged with possession of 18 grams of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.

The detective's phone number is unlisted, and there were no similar numbers found in the boy's cell phone, police. Detectives said the boy, likely dialed a random number looking for a customer.

What ever happened to phoning people at random and asking if their fridge was running?

Later,
Kenaz

'My Generation' gets whole new spin

Tonights 6 o'clock news ended with this video from a group of 40 British seniors (average age: 78) called The Zimmers. The seniors are a YouTube sensation with their timely cover of The Who's My Generation. The video has been viewed by 1.5 million people since its posting April 2.


In it, the group get their message out that these old folk aren't ready for a rocking chair just yet. They smash guitars and over turn drum sets, ala Townshend and Moon. They re-create The Beatles' walk across Abbey Road. They hold up a sign stating the plight of many seniors, "I'm bored in old people's homes."

The group's name is a tongue and cheek reference to a British brand of walker. A whole new meaning of kicking it old school.

Later,
Kenaz

For pete's sake, say no to drugs!

Or you will end up like the Toronto loser whom Hamilton cops charged with theft and drug charges after a strange series of events at the McMaster University GO TRANSIT complex.

Police say a GO bus driver had left his bus for a washroom break yesterday afternoon. When the driver returned, he found the bus' doors had been pried open and the cash box was missing. Several students pointed the finger of blame at a man sitting in nearby bus shelter. McMaster Security approached the 22 year-old, who admitted the theft. While making the arrest, officers noticed a bag next to the man who denied it was his. A search of the bag turned up a quantify of crystal meth, ecstasy and a suspected date-rape drug. Also in the bag (dum-de-dum-really dum) ... the Toronto man's I-D. Doh!

Later,
Kenaz

Huge blaze rips through business on Lottridge

Spec photo

The Ontario Fire Marshall has confirmed arson as the key motive in a massive fire at a Recyling Service on Lottridge Street. The fire, spawned several alarms and sent some 100 fire fighters to the sight.

The fire had started shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday among about 1,000 empty plastic rain barrels and about 40 storage containers filled with old computer parts -- all stored behind the building, which backs on to CN rail tracks that bisect the neighbourhood bounded by Barton and Burlington streets and Gage and Sherman avenues.

The fire quickly moved up the wall and onto the roof of the sprawling 250,000 square-foot complex, which is vacant except for the recycling business -- called simply Recycling Service -- which occupies about 10,000 square feet. Several hours into the fire, the roof over the recycling business collapsed, igniting other computer parts stored inside. Though the fire had been contained to that area by yesterday afternoon, the fallen debris was making it hard to put out.

Samples of the smoke plume taken by the provincial environment ministry's mobile testing facility found no dangerous levels of styrene, toluene or xylene -- chemicals that would commonly be associated with such a fire. Hopefully quelling rumours of another Plastimet like catastrophe. In 1997, a warehouse filled with bales of scrap plastic -- just two kilometres west of yesterday's fire -- burned for four days, creating an environmental disaster and leaving a tragic medical legacy that would later be linked to the cancer death of Hamilton firefighter Bob Shaw.

Preliminary damage estimates are in the range of a quarter million dollars. The Fire Marshall says he'll wrap up his investigation some time later today and turn the building back over to the owner.

Video of the fire from the Hamilton Spectator

Slideshow of the fire from the Hamilton Spectator

Later,
Kenaz

30 Years of Star Wars

Friday was the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars and the beginning of the Summer blockbuster era. I remember that day in 1977 so well even though I was only seven years old. My sister Cherylanne took me to the old Tivoli Theatre on James Street. We couldn't get in because the movie was PG-13 and my sister didn't turn 13 until September. We went home and our mom took us the next night. We sat in the front row, and from that day until "Return of the Jedi" I had to have the figures, ships and almost everything Star Wars. The collection's gone now, I played with the figures like they are meant too and not just kept in a package on a shelf, so they where not worth a whole lot when I sold them a couple years. I think I got $100 for them and a stuffed Chewie who smelled a little funky. I'm not sure what happened to the large scale Millenium Falcon and X-Wing Fighter though.

Since then the Summer movie season has been full of garbage slasher flicks and teen shlock, long live the origional Star Wars trillogy. May the force be with you!


Later,
Kenaz

Hamilton the good

Three good news stories to report from the 'Hammer' today. A north end park was cleaned up and the area BIA is committing itself to keeping it that way. Hamilton will soon be one local calling area and a shake-up at city hall should bring some respect back.

Woodlands park on Barton street between Wentworth and Sanford is on the receiving end of some new trees and continued upkeep. The city will plant 35 new trees in the park thanks to a $5,000 donation from Siemens Power Generation and the Barton village BIA will look after the grounds. I caught the story while I was on my lunch break down at Hotz Environmental, who was on hand at the park in case any hazardous waste was found. Congrats to all the kids who participated, it's nice to see someone has good old fashioned values. I have fond memories of playing in summer and winter at this park growing up, and it would be a same to loose it to the crack heads, hookers and gangs.

Canada's telephone regulator, has cleared the way for local calling throughout the boundaries of the city of Hamilton. It has approved Bell Canada's application to make Hamilton a single local calling area. The changes will take effect in November. Suburban politicians have been pushing the initiative, virtually since amalgamation back in 2000. It doesn't come without a cost. Bell's residential customers will pay a 30 cent monthly surcharge for the next three years. The surcharge is 17 cents for business customers. Small cost for being able to make a call from one end of the city, it seems so obvious, why has it taken seven years?

And finally, the news that Lee Anne Coveyduck will be replaced June 1st couldn't be more sobering and the date couldn't come fast enough. The manager of Hamilton's building and licensing department is going out in a blaze of glory(wink). More concerns about the department came out today. According to the Spectator, one in three Hamilton homes built in the past 18 months was under construction before the city issued a permit. And city officials are admitting that's true. That's despite the fact it's in clear violation of Ontario's building code act, that states no construction can begin on any building without a permit being issued. The city says it is taking steps to address the issue with the development of an updated procedures manual for building inspectors.

The new accountability and transparency subcommittee approved by council to set up the new integrity commissioner's office spearheaded by Joanna Chapman should stem the bleeding. The Dundas book seller is one of four community members on the committee. She's joined by David Broom, Ted Charuk and Denise O'Connor.

Later,
Kenaz

My vision for Sherman Avenue North

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Good day, good riddance

The work week has come to an end and so has my employment at Tomco Steel after eight months. I'm not saddened in any way, in fact I'm a little relieved. I've been trying to get my temp agency to reassign me for quite a while do too the rather juvenile attitudes of the boss Steve and his employees.

I first wrote about my situation back in February in a post entitled "I hate Mondays, ask me why?". In a nut shell the afternoon foreman was a complete idiot who in deed succeed in getting me fired for refusing to work an OPTIONAL overtime Saturday shift. I guess the bigger idiot was Steve who actually did the firing, then rehired me within the same day.

The biggest idiot in hind sight was me, I went back to a company that showed such lack of morals when it came to treating temps. To prove my point here is the second email I sent to my temp agency boss on April 26.

I know we have had this conversation before, but I don't feel you understand the situation. The situation at Tomco is getting slightly worse. It's tough to do your work in amidst an atmosphere of back stabbing and hurtful lies.

The culprits haven't changed they have only multiplied since the incident with Gary the then afternoon foreman. Things where looking better when I went to days away from the problem. But have returned as Steve decided to bring the problem back to days and ignore the problem. The man (Gary) is a spiteful human who has no people skills and I feel enjoys getting on peoples case for no reason.

The second problem is their mechanic Mark who for what ever reason finds it humorous to make comments to you as your passing like "your crazy, stop talking to yourself" (?) Apparently a bigger joke as his buddy a machine operator Adam chimed in with his agreement. This comment was brought to Steve attention, not much was done.

Side note, Adam is known for his lack of attention span, and has been told about his smart mouth, but as long as he's saying things about me behind my back or as today make his comments while pointing or starring at you. (Today was either threatening bodily harm or trying to get someone else to do so) Oh course as his nature, he pathologically denies ever talking.

As I have mentioned to you, it doesn't look like Tomco ever wishes to evoke a work environment that work suite my type of personality. I like to work hard, quietly with people who don't have these types of hurtful attitudes and for a boss that doesn't feel temps are disposable people. I mean if I'm so bad at my job and have such a bad attitude why have I been their since October. (These comments have been made by any or all of the above people the last by Steve).

I don't like being blind sided, I wish to work for you some where else if Tomco refuses to deal with the issues and desist the harmful actions. I do have the right to file a Ministry of Labour Claim against the above persons if I feel their actions deliberate and I will. I hope this letter doesn't strain or relationship, my intention is quite the opposite, a good working relationship can only occur if both sides are happy and that's what it was at the start with Tomco and I hope again or somewhere else with your help.

For eight months I continually proved that I was a damn great packer and one of the best they had. Not my words, Steve's on many occasions. To back up the point all they had to do is read the production sheets. So, that brings me to today, at 3:00 o'clock I got the call, I was fired for get this "being unable to keep up with the machines and thus causing damage!" First of all if I couldn't keep up with a punch press set at 32 parts per minute, why did Adam turn it up to 42 ppm when I was packing by myself!

The joke is on me Adam you got me. You broke the punch and pinned it on me, Steve took the easy way out and got rid of me. So long Tomco, Adam, I miss all your drunkin' tales and childish temper tantrums. Watching a grown man(?) throw around a three step latter because he pinched his fingers (no more painful than cracking your fingers with a tack hammer) and then sulk about it, is down right funny. Oh well good news, he left work early to go camping, hope a bear mistakes him for the rat that he is an makes a snack out of him.

Anyway, off to enjoy my long weekend(Victoria Day, in Canada) the temp boss says he's working on something for me for next week, closer to my home. Crossing my fingers.

Later,
Kenaz

Bob Sherwin will be missed

I was extremely sad to read that former CHML and CKOC radio personality Bob Sherwin had passed away. He died this afternoon at Hamilton General hospital after suffering a severe heart attack on Sunday. Sherwin has been a fixture on Hamilton radio since the 1970's. I have fond memories of listening to his weekly Big 500 countdown on CKOC as a kid. I know god has a master plan for all of us but why take the good souls so young? Mr. Sherwin was only 52.

Later,
Kenaz

Remembering a great mom

The roses my mom planted so many years ago have only started to come up this year,



my tulips are coming to their end of their cycle



and moms lilacs that I continue to grow in her memory and because I love their colour are coming up beautifully.



Since 1999 the meaning of Mother's Day changed for me forever. Still the day for thanking the women who brought me into the world for everything she did to make me the man I am today. May 13 is also the day I reach towards the heavens and ask her to continue to steer me towards what ever destiny lies in wait and ask for her beacon of light to enlighten me so that I can defend against the evils that hide in the shadows. Forever grateful, your son Kendall.



The poem "A Mother's Love" hangs in my dining room and keeps the memory of my mother alive. Please enlarge the photo to read it.

Today was a great day, I watched the young guns of Canada capture gold in Russia and bring home yet another World Championship to complete the trifecta. Joining the juniors and the women Canada yet again showed who where the King and Queen's of hockey. The heat has already started to get to me so, the hair went. Should be a lot more comfortable under the hard hat at work. That's all for now.

Later,
Kenaz

Hamilton's for the birds!

Three in fact! Since my first post back in March about this years Falcon Watch update here in Hamilton, there has been new additions to the family. Here is a capsulized look at the new events.

April 9, 2007 - Three eggs are noticed the scrape and may be four. The cold weather is still keeping Madame X close to the nest.

April 16, 2007 - The fourth egg is seen. The cold weather is still keeping Madame X close to the nest but it looks like things will warm up a bit later this week. Falcon fans will be interested to know that the Falconwatch TV monitor and information signs are now on view in a storefront in Jackson Square Mall. Look for the display in the aisle closest to King Street, on the James St. side of the Sheraton hotel.

May 8, 2007 - Madame X is being one protective mama!. No interviews allowed! Around 11:50AM today Madame X started twisting and turning. A short time later a bit of white appeared, and at 11:52:44 a little black beak and eye line were clearly visible. One here, ?? to go!

May 9, 2007 - At approximately 12:25 the second chick of 2007 emerged. The adults take turns incubating, with a couple of 'shift changes' observed. During the afternoon several clear views of both chicks and the two remaining eggs. Two here, two to go.

May 11, 2007 - At 07:07 in the morning the adults did a food exchange and a clear image of THREE CHICKS and the remaining egg are captured. Three here, one to go.

Click on the link to see pics of the aw! so cute chicks and the proud parents.
http://www.hamiltonnature.org/hamfalcam.html

Later,
Kenaz

Chief Brian Mullan lies again

The families of Lucas Deane, Paul Haggerty and the entire community deserve to read today's report on how police botched the surrender of accused double-murderer Corey Rogers. In case you don't remember Lucas, 18, and his 19-year-old friend Paul Haggerty were stabbed to death outside a Barton Street bar in the early hours of Feb. 17. Two other young men were wounded. Within hours Hamilton police arrested Corey Rogers -- who had been named CrimeStoppers Most Wanted the previous month.

Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse must have sprained his wrist patting himself on the back and congratulating his officers for their "good police work." What he didn't say was that exactly one week before the homicides, Corey Rogers called 911, identified himself and said he wanted to turn himself in. Instead of doing their damn job and sending cops over immediately to make the high-risk arrest, the call-taker told Rogers he'd phoned at a bad time and suggested he walk to police headquarters and turn himself in.

Rogers obviously never showed up. Rogers wasn't arrested until he fell into the arms of cops who finally traced the phone call and waited outside his home until he came home. Not exactly the stuff Sherlock Holmes mysteries are made of.

Hamilton police say they are serious about transparency and regaining the public's trust and doing the right thing, then why are they trying to hide the report? The report was delivered today by Niagara police who conducted an impartial review at the request of Mullen, after the debacle. Instead of answers, we only get more questions and that isn't what Lucas Deane's grieving grandparents deserve.

It took ten weeks to get the report, one that both Mullan and board chair Bernie Morelli promised that when the report was ready, they would share it with the public. Morelli further promised the families and public a full accounting of what happened and said his intention is to release the entire report.

Mullan said he called for the external investigation because according to interview with The Spectator "There's an obligation to give a total and accurate depiction to the community as to what happened because the community is concerned" and "we have an obligation to ensure the families know exactly what happened in great detail."

What is Mullan hiding from the public, we deserve the whole report and not and edited one that seems most likely since Morelli has already ran to his lawyers to talk about censoring the report. Enough is enough, the corruption in Hamilton has to end.

Later,
Kenaz

In memorium of my mother

On May 7, 1999 an incredible women was taken from her family far too early. In memory of my mother Bernice Oliphant I had this tatoo designed and inked based on my drawing shortly after. The ivy leaves represent my mother who switched her first and middle name when she was quite young. The barbed wire represents the ties that bind and sometimes strifes the relationship between son and mother. The peace symbol is self explanitory, Psalms 23:4 is my favourite verse from the bible. The verse tells us not to fear the unknown certainties that come with the passing of a loved one and even when things look their bleakest their is always someone willing to light your way. The word "kid" is something that you will always be called by your family no matter how old you get when your the youngest of ten in total. Mothers Day should be celebrated every day and childhood memories should never be allowed to fade.

One of my favourite poems that deals with memories of family good times is "O for an hour of childhood!"

Ford, Samuel Payne


O for an hour of childhood!
On of those olden hours
When life was bright with sunshine,
And garlanded with flowers;
Ere the happy family circle,
That sat by the old stone hearth,
Was tearfully torn asunder
And scattered about the earth.

Could my childish wish be granted,
And Time turn back in his flight;
Which one of those hours of gladness
Would I have return to-night?
They are all of glad remembrance,
Though a few are dimmed with tears;
Say, which of those precious moments
Shall I call from the mist of years?

Shall I ask for the festal evening,
When father, and mother, and all
Were gathered together rejoicing
In the crowded Christmas hall?
And the gay, glad hours flew speedily,
With music and mirth, and chat?
Ah, no! for i see in the distance
A pleasanter hour than that.

Shall I ask for a summer morning,
When the birds are singing of love,
With never a cloud to darken
The bright blue sky above?
And trip with my little sister
All over the verdant lawn,
Plucking the flowers that blossom
As day begins to dawn;
And then spring cheerily forward
To the top of the pine-clad hill,
To see the sun rise in his beauty?
There are happier moments still.

Shall I ask for a time so often
Enjoyed in the "long ago,"
When after an hour's careering
So merrily over the snow,
An army of laughing loved ones,
All happy, and merry and strong,
We cheerfully tuned our voices
And joined in some sweet old song?
O! passing pleasant those hours were,
Nor shadowed by one regret,
Still ever there cometh the memory
Of holier moments yet.

May I have but one hour only?
I would have one most like heaven,
One calm, sweet hour, with all at home
On some quiet, Sabbath even?
Would list again to the voice of prayer
From hearts to God devoted,
And join again in the songs of praise
That round the old rooms floated?
Would kneel again at my mother's knee,
Beneath her smile of light,
And fall asleep with her lips on mine,
Kissing a fond "good-night"?

Later,
Kenaz

Questions still linger in the wake of CD's closing

CD Sports Bar on Ottawa Street North no longer has a business licence to operate legally in Hamilton. The place that became notorious after stabbings, shootings including one fatal incident and a multitude of complaints from fed up residents.

This should be the final word of the closing chapter in this notorious saga, but this story has a cliff hanger that needs to be solved. If the bar owner's licence expired in early April, why didn't the city's licensing committee know this until the last minute leading up too a meeting that would have decided whether to revoke or fail to renew the licence? Only then council was told there was no valid licence in force.

That means that since the expiry date of April 9, the business had been operating without a licence. City staff knew about the expiry. And during this period of unlicensed operation, someone was shot after leaving the bar.

Municipal policy around business licence renewal is as "flexible". In advance of expiry, business operators receive communication. And after it expires, there is a grace period during which city staff work with business owners on licence renewal.

I don't get a grace period to pay my city taxes or any bill, why should any business be able to operate without a licence? There can't and shouldn't be any gray area here, have a licence, operate your business, or close your doors, period.

The foreward to this tale should read CD bar owner no longer has the right to own, operate or be a partner in any business that serves alcohol in light of his arogance to the laws that he says he never violated and says he will obey regardless. Secondly, the city's licensing department, already in the midst of an overhaul, needs to revisit its standard protocols and tighten their lax way of enforcement.

Later,
Kenaz

Those that we have lost in April

07
Johnny Hart, 76, American cartoonist (B.C., The Wizard of Id), stroke.

08

Sol LeWitt, 78, American artist known for his role in the Conceptualism and Minimalism movements, cancer

11
Kurt Vonnegut, 84, American novelist and social critic, brain injury from a fall.

Ronald Speirs, 86, American World War II commanding officer of Easy Company (Band of Brothers).

14
June Callwood, 82, Canadian journalist and activist, cancer


Don Ho, 76, American Hawaiian musician and entertainer, heart failure.

15
Brant Parker, 86, American cartoonist who co-created The Wizard of Id.

16

Gaetan Duchesne, 44, Canadian NHL player (1981–1995), heart attack.

Stan Daniels, 72, Canadian writer and producer (Taxi, The Mary Tyler Moore Show), heart failure.

17

06Groucho Marx and Kitty Carlisle in A Night at the Opera (1935)
Kitty Carlisle Hart, 96, American actress (A Night at the Opera), television personality (To Tell the Truth) and singer, heart failure.

23

Boris Yeltsin, 76, first President of the Russian Federation (1991–1999), heart failure.

29

Josh Hancock, 29, American baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, car accident.

Ontario governments should go "FLICK" themselves

The Ontario government is supporting a campaign aimed at getting young people to cut energy use with the gutter scrapping title of "Flick Off." The campaign was launched British billionaire Richard Branson who stops at nothing in order to get publicity. This stunt is even worse than his awful attempt at a reality show, anyone remember the 2004 turkey "The Rebel Billionaire"? The tongue-in-cheek campaign alludes to a four-letter word and the logo uses a typeface that makes the capital letters "L" and "I" look like a "U."

On the website homepage, a call to action says: "We need you to FLICK OFF, and tell everyone you know to FLICK OFF. The more you do it, the cooler it gets. Apparently they mean the planet. "The campaign's website uses such phrases as "Go flick yourself," and "Are we flicked?" to punch up their double meanings.

The answer to the second question if your the ad agency is yes their a bunch of flickin' idiots if they think this campaign is appropriate for viewing by children.

In another bonehead move by government officials, this time the City of Toronto who refused to pick up 12,000 spent batteries collected by 500 Grade 7 and 8 students in Scarborough during a clean up the environment collection drive.

The science teacher who runs the environment club, says she called Toxics Taxi – the city's free pick-up service for hazardous waste expecting praise for her young student efforts – only to be told by a staff person that the service is for residences only. Because they are considered an institution the city refused to pick up the batteries.

That left the teacher and students frustrated with a government headed by a mayor who erroneously claims Toronto to be the greenest city in the world. Their is very little green left in mudville. The teacher punctuated her frustration by pointing out the obvious to anyone except the brain drains at city hall. The batteries are from homes, to which the city staff person countered, "No, it's an institution."

A student wrote an insightful email to his local councillor, Brian Ashton, in March to air his concerns. "If we just threw the batteries in the garbage, they would be sent to landfills and over time, they would start leaking into rivers and oceans, which could cause major acid rain, which is very harmful to the world," he wrote. Ashton at first offered the lame excuse of not receiving the email. Then tried to cover his lie when pressured saying he would make sure the batteries are collected and that the club receives a $250 cheque from the city budget.

I hope these kids passion to save the environment continues and one of them takes the torch from David Suzuki some day and continues the fight to change the attitude of people who continue to destroy the planet all because it would mean loss of money for corporate and government misers if we made products that lasted forever instead of ending up in a landfill.

Later,
Kenaz

Four 'Speed Freaks' pay for their thrill

Sherman Ave North has been as long as I can remember one of Hamilton's hot spots for disillusioned teens and young adults looking for the adrenalin rush of a car going fast. The traffic lights at Sherman and Barton act as their Christmas tree. The perfect quarter mile stretch of black top between the corner and the rail tracks near Biggar beckon them to raise hell. The light hits green and the neighbourhood is summoned to the sound of a poorly modified six cylinder car tearing down the street towards the drivers imaginary checkered flag.

This wasn't the scene description of some clone of one of those 'Drift Racing' movies, it is the disturbing reality that is plaguing our streets. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, perfect for relaxing and getting ready for another busy work week. But not for four people who are in hospital after their vehicle struck a hydro pole on Sherman Avenue North at Biggar Avenue.

Around 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon I, like everyone else wondered why their hydro suddenly went out. Then the blaring of numerous ambulances, fire and police vehicles told us something was serious. Of course the nosey had their opinions and observances, but I'm the type who subscribes to the mind your own business and wait for the truth to unfold theory.

The truth came out today, police say a Toyota Corolla was speeding when it lost control, skidded across the road, sheared off a hydro poll before coming to rest on its roof. The driver suffered life threatening injuries, 2 others received major back injuries while the 4th man is said to have minor injuries. Alcohol appears to have been a factor, according to investigators.

The need to show off ones 'Machismo' has been around since the invention of the automobile and not much has been done since to curb the deadly tide of speed related accidents. Unfortunately, the want-to-be 'Kings' are no longer taking their game to the back dirt roads, they are endangering everyone sharing the main streets they choose as their victory road.

As a side note, I once heard of a cop in I think Los Angelas, I could be wrong. Anyway, he was an officer in charge of street crimes, and part of his duty was to try to stop the kids from tearing it up on the streets. Sick of busting the same guys sometimes nightly for 'speeding' as their was no 'street racing law', and then eventually watching the tickets going unpaid, this cop decided to get angry. But not in a forceful way, he decided to appeal to their need to show off.

With the approval of his superior's and the help of a few good cops, he took an older squad car and supped up the engine with parts confiscated in earlier busts. All on his own time, the super cop transformed the plain black and white into 'Super Fuzz'. While in his new car on patrol, he would then as usual stop a kid for racing. Instead of the standard spiel and a ticket, he would offer the opportunity of a life time. Bring it or sing it.

The deal was, bring your car to the local drag strip on the next Saturday, and race the cop in his squad car. The prize, the ticket gets ripped up and all the bragging rights that goes with silencing a cop. The catch was, the car had a nice 360 installed and the cop had some pretty decent drag racing stills. The results, the cop rarely lost and many of the kids started slowing down as they got to know the consequences of messing with this lightening rod.

I'm not saying this approach will work in Hamilton, as death doesn't seem to scare these wasted youth, but it's something better than nothing.

Later,
Kenaz

Caledonia should say farewell to Fantino

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino has a rather sinister track record, one that includes police brutality, racist policing, use of excessive force against protesters and bathhouse raids and other homophobic policing.

And now on the one year anniversary of the occupation of Caledonia by native activists protesting a housing development being built on what they claim is their land, the cries for Fantino to resign, once again rage with the ferocity of a banshee cry.

The latest storm of controversy to suck up the "Don of Commissioners" surrounds his bizarre e-mail sent warning the Haldimand County Mayor and councillors that he would hold them responsible for violence resulting from future anti occupation protests by a group known as "Caledonia Wake Up Call." The group is critical of the OPP's handling of the standoff with natives occupying a 40-hectare tract of land.

Fantino's e-mail rant was apparently triggered by one councillor's comments supporting the leader of that group, Gary McHale. The OPP boss then in true dictator fashion, took the sole initiative to villainize a man because he expresses a different opinion, calling him "a lightning rod for confrontation and potential violence."

The e-mail went on to say that if further violence resulted from a McHaleled protest, Commissioner Fantino would support any lawsuits filed by officers, would pass on the ensuing policing costs to the county and would recommend that the OPP not renew its contract with the county when it expires in September, 2008.

Caledonia tax payers need to wake up their city council and demand their voices be heard. Fantino needs to leave and a new police force brought in to restore public trust. The man is an out of control bully with way too much power, and before he does something completely stupid that could potentially cost lives he should be replaced.

Long live free speech.

Later,
Kenaz

Condolences for the 33 destined ones at Virginia Tech

Condolences to the friends and family of Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, the Nova Scotian French teacher who's life was cut way to short by senseless violence. Couture-Nowak was one of the 33 innocent souls who died on the campus of Virginia Tech on Monday, gunned down by a desperately woeful soul, Cho Seung Hui, who later took the cowards way out of life and killed himself.

I wish to also condemn all the "faceless" hate mongers who used the anonymity of inter net chat groups to condemn an innocent man minutes after this tragedy occurred. Instead of waiting for the facts to unfold, these cyber terrorists decided to target a man, who only crime was a similar name and similar heritage. In turn he was barraged by death threats, racial slurs and demoralized. When the real "devil" revealed himself, it was too late, the damage was done. Two crimes where committed, first the loss of 33 innocent people, then the loss of a mans dignity for no reason.

This kind of inter net terrorism will only stop when the owners of these chat type sights and blog sights put measures in place that bans anyone who spreads hateful messages. Stocking and threats on the web is no different than doing the acts in person, when will law makers get in step with the times.

Lastly, I find it appalling that Canadian and U.S media outlets decided to play the sickening tape of a ranting, delusional Cho Seung Hui. His so called "manifesto" was nothing more than pure fiction from a sick mind.

Later,
Kenaz

Congradulations Drew Lee

The kid with the iron will and the one who had every citizen in Hamilton last summer full of emotion after he was brutally beaten in an unprovoked attack has returned to school. A remarkable achievement for Drew Lee, considering he had to be induced into a coma for 12 days at McMaster Children's Hospital and had casts on both legs because of his injuries from the Aug. 5 assault.

Also, congratulations to Detective Constable Daryl Reid, the detective oversaw the investigation into the attack and charged an 18-year-old man in December with 16 criminal offences, including aggravated assault. Reid has already received a Crime Stoppers award. He was presented with a police award by Chief Brian Mullan and police board chair Bernie Morelli.

He may walk with a limp and speak like someone who had a stroke, but something tells me he will prove the doctors wrong and some day walk again. Good luck.

Drew was on his way home when he was grabbed and pulled into a parking lot near Main Street East and Sherman Avenue South by a man just after he had parted from friends. Police say the attacker repeatedly kicked and stomped on the boy's head. An elderly woman saw the assault and screamed at the man and he eventually fled as Drew lay motionless in the lot. The scum remains in custody and is awaiting trial dates.

Later,
Kenaz

Excuse me sir, is that a monkey in your pants?

Wildlife smuggling is a lucrative business for smugglers willing to take the risks.
the trafficking in illegal imports racks up $8 billion to $10 billion US a year in sales. Hot commodities for trade include rare butterflies, birds, fish, snakes and mammals. Some are bought by sleazy collectors or dealers in exotic pets. Other creatures, or their parts, are destined to be consumed as aphrodisiacs or food. Many animals die en route, of course, and even those that survive can rarely be returned to their homes.

One man arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after an 18-hour trip from Asia had two lesser slow lorises, or pygmy monkeys, stuffed into his underwear. When inspectors opened some of his luggage, birds of paradise flew out. His travelling companion had a pair of leopard cats in his backpack, Johns told the New York Times. Another man is accused of smuggling reptiles from South Asia in his prosthetic leg.

Later,
Kenaz