Lest We Forget Our Fallen Heros in Afghanistan

Canadian Soldier Death Toll Stands at 71 in Afghanistan September 24 , 2007 Cpl. Nathan Hornburg Killed while working to repair a broken tread on a leopard tank. August 26, 2007 Maj. Raymond Ruckpaul Maj. Raymond Ruckpaul was found dead in his room at about 7:30 a.m. from a gunshot wound. Neither murder, suicide nor accidental discharge of the firearm have been ruled out as possible reasons for the death. August 22, 2007 Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne Master Warrant Office Mario Mercier Two Canadian soldiers were killed when their light armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during a patrol. August 19, 2007 Pte Simon Longtin Pte Simon Longtin was killed after the vehicle he was traveling in, a LAV III, struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). July 4, 2007 Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe Cpl. Cole Bartsch Pte. Lane Watkins Master-Cpl. Colin Bason Cpl. Jordan Anderson Capt. Jefferson Francis Six more killed when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle. June 20, 2007 Sgt.-Christos-Karigiannis Cpl. Stephen Frederick Bouzane Pte. Joel Vincent Wiebe All of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, were killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb near a forward-operating base at Sperwan Ghar, west of Kandahar. June 11, 2007 Trooper Darryl Caswell Trooper Darryl Caswell was killed when the armoured vehicle he was driving was ripped apart by an improvised explosive device en route to a remote NATO base in Afghanistan since 2002. May 30, 2007 Master Cpl. Darrell Jason Priede Master Cpl. Darrell Jason Priede was the 56th Canadian service member killed since 2002. May 25, 2007 Corp. Matthew McCully Killed when a road-side bomb exploded near him during Operation Hoover April 18, 2007 Master Cpl. Anthony Klumpenhouwer A special operations soldier died in an accident when he fell while climbing a communications tower. April 11, 2007 Master Cpl. Allan Stewart Trooper Patrick James Pentland Both of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, Ont. - died after their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in an area about 38 km west of Kandahar City. April 8, 2007 Sgt. Donald Lucas Pte. Kevin Kennedy Cpl. Aaron E. Williams Pte. David R. Greenslade Cpl. Christopher P. Stannix Cpl. Brent Poland Six Canadian soldiers died in southern Afghanistan as a result of injuries sustained when the vehicle they were travelling in hit an explosive device. March 6, 2007 Cpl. Kevin Megeney A member of 1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders is the 45th Canadian military death in Afghanistan since 2002. Megeney was shot through the chest and left lung in what's believed to be a "friendly fire" incident. November 27, 2006 Chief Warrant Officer Albert Storm Sgt. Maj. Bob Girouard Both were killed on the outskirts of Kandahar when a suicide car bomber attacked a convoy of military vehicles. October 14, 2006 Sgt. Darcy Tedford Pte. Blake Williamson Both killed by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. October 7, 2006 Mark Andrew Wilson Killed when his armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside explosion in the Panjwaii district. October 3, 2006 Sgt. Craig Gillam Cpl. Robert Mitchell Both killed in series of mortar, rocket attacks just west of Kandahar city. September 29, 2006 Pte. Josh Klukie Killed by an improvised explosive device, while he was conducting a foot patrol in the Panjwaii district in Kandahar province. September 18, 2006 Cpl Shane Keating Cpl Keith Morley Pte. David Byers Cpl. Glen Arnold Killed when a suicide bomber riding a bicycle detonated explosives in the Panjwai area. September 4, 2006 Pte. Mark Anthony Graham killed in a friendly fire incident involving an American A-10 Warthog aircraft. September 3, 2006 Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish Sergeant Shane Stachnik Pte. William Jonathan James Cushley All four were killed in fierce fighting in southern Afghanistan. August 22, 2006 Corp. David Braun Killed by a suicide bomber outside the gates of Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City. August 11, 2006 Cpl. Andrew James Eykelenboom Killed when his vehicle was hit by a suicide bomber. Aug. 9, 2006 Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh Was shot in a "weapons related accident" unrelated to enemy fire. Aug. 5, 2006 ;; Master Cpl. Raymond Arndt Killed when a G-Wagon making a supply run collided with a civilian truck. ; Aug. 3, 2006 Cpl. Christopher Jonathan Reid Sgt. Vaughn Ingram Cpl. Bryce Jeffrey Keller Cpl. Christopher Jonathan Reid died overnight when a Canadian Light Armoured Vehiclewas struck by a roadside bomb. Later the same say, three more Canadian soldiers were killed during a separate attack with rocket propelled grenades near Kandahar city - Sgt. Vaughn Ingram, Cpl. Bryce Jeffrey Keller, and the fourth was not identified. July 22, 2006 Cpl. Francisco Gomez Cpl. Jason Patrick Warren Both killed by a suicide bomber in Kandahar July 9, 2006 Cpl. Anthony Joseph Boneca Killed as Canadian military and Afghan security forces were pushing through an area west of Kandahar City. May 17, 2006 Capt. Nichola Goddard Killed during battle against Taliban forces in the Panjwai region. April 22, 2006 Cpl. Matthew Dinning Bombardier Myles Mansell Lieut. William Turner Cpl. Randy Payne All were killed when their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb near Gombad. March 28, 2006 Pte. Robert Costall Killed in a firefight with Taliban insurgents in the desert north of Kandahar March 5, 2006 Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson Diea as a result of injuries suffered in the LAV III crash on March 2 in Afghanistan. Wilson died in hospital in Germany. March 2, 2006 Cpl. Paul Davis Killed when the LAV III he was travelling in collided with a civilian taxi just west of Kandahar during a routine patrol. Jan. 15, 2006 Diplomat Glyn Berry Killed by a suicide bomber in Kandahar. Nov. 24, 2005 Pte. Braun Scott Woodfield Killed in a traffic accident involving his light-armoured vehicle (LAV III) northeast of Kandahar. Jan. 27, 2004 Cpl. Jamie Murphy Killed by a suicide bomber while patrolling near Camp Julien in an Iltis jeep. Oct. 2, 2003 Sgt. Robert Alan Short Cpl. Robbie Christopher Beerenfenger Both killed when their Iltis jeep struck a roadside bomb outside Camp Julien near Kabul. April 17, 2002 Sgt. Marc D. Leger Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer Pte. Richard A. Green Pte. Nathan Smith All four were killed by friendly fire when an American fighter jet dropped a laser-guided 225-kilogram bomb on the soldiers during a training exercise near Kandahar. Peace. Friday, November 09, 2007 Prosperous day today in Hamilton Feds come up with their share of the money It's now official. Canada's Environent Minister has committed the federal government's 30 million dollar share, towards the 90 million dollar cleanup of Randle Reef. The province's 30 million is already in place with the rest coming from local sources. It clears the way for work to begin on the containment of coal tar and other polluted sediment at Hamilton Harbour's toxic hotspot. The eight-year project is likely to be completed in 2016. Sources of local funding have yet to be finalized, but Hamilton's Mayor remains confident that it will include contributions from Hamilton industries. Plans to Revive the Core Three major private projects promise to boost downtown Hamilton with lights, music and better parking came to light today. The demolition of the old HMP dealership at the corner of Bay and Main streets is underway to make room for a new 15-storey Hilton Homewood Suites. Just blocks away, planning is in the works to tear down a burned out apartment building at the corner of Hess and King streets to build a concert theatre the size of Toronto's Massey Hall. The concert theatre, based on the House of Blues venue in Dallas, will make the village an attraction year round and help with noise complaints by bringing music inside. Hopefully this will also bring more restaurants to the village, providing more choice for those who are not into the bar scene. The approximately $15-million project is set to start in the spring and take about 18 months to complete. A new parking structure already approved between Hess and Caroline will be perfectly placed to serve concert goers. On the other side of downtown, the city's new development corporation has made its first offer on a parking lot behind the old Sandbar Tavern. The $15-million to $20-million proposal features multiple floors of parking combined with retail and residential units. These projects will complement the new Hilton hotel, which saw it's first bulldozer action last week. The hotel will bring life back to a rotting core. Later, Kenaz Tuesday, November 06, 2007 Game show morons Watch these members of an "Eklusive" club embarrass themselves on national television. Wheel of Fortune Moron This lady flubs an extremely easy puzzle after winning 10k. What Rotates Around the Earth? A better question is What planet is this French idiot from? This women knows! Hope you enjoyed! Later, Kenaz Thursday, October 18, 2007 Threats to Marina Batkis are from sick people not animal lovers The twisted dog tale began last month when Ellen DeGeneres adopted a dog. The dog was not able to get along with DeGeneres' cats, she gave the dog to DeGeneres' hairdresser. This violated some rule of Batkis' animal adoption company which stated if an adoption did not work out, the animal had to be returned. DeGeneres acknowledged she erred but said her hairdresser and her family should not be punished. "This is so insane," a calmer DeGeneres said on her talk show Wednesday. "It's just the dog needs to go to the family." Batkis has refused to back down and returned with a rather terse reply. "If Ellen wants to place dogs and decide what's a good home, then she should start her own rescue group," she told "Inside Edition." "But I'm the one doing this and I know what I'm doing." This story needed to end there, instead a bunch of ignorant S.O.B's who do not give a crap about animals, instead take pride in being "professional" hate mongers. This type of person with insult and make cheap death threats to anyone and justify it, in this case as being an animal lover. Batkis company did not hurt any animals, they where only standing by their policies which state no animal will be adopted to any family with children under the age of fifteen. The rule could be more flexible, but that's not the point. What gives the right for anyone to make death threats against Batkis and threaten to bomb her business? None. To the moron who likened her to a Nazi, get a clue and a life. Later, Kenaz Thursday, October 11, 2007 Teacher Accused Of Stapling Paper To Student's Head I don't do to many bizarre news stories, but when you find stories like this you can't resist. This is straight out of the what the f***K is your malfunction category. A fourth-grade teacher's aide in Indiana has resigned after he was accused of trying to staple a piece of paper to a student's forehead. The incident happened at Jefferson Elementary School in the Plymouth school district. Superintendent John Hill would not identify the aide or the class but confirmed the story and said: "We're just sorry that it happened. We don't expect our people to behave in that manner. That person is no longer employed by the school corporation." But Natalie Wilson, the fourth-grader's mother, is furious and tels the South Bend Tribune that the principal called her shortly before her daughter got on the school bus Monday, more than three hours after the incident occurred. "I should have been told immediately," Wilson said. The mother said her daughter told her she had picked up a Post-It note from the floor and stuck it to her forehead. The teacher told her to remove the paper from her forehead or he would staple it there permanently. But when the student failed to remove the paper, he approached her with a stapler and pushed it against her forehead. Wilson says: There were "two holes in her head. It actually punctured her skin. This was not an accident." Later, Kenaz Monday, October 08, 2007 Happy Birthday Walter Gretzky Happy 69th birthday to the most humble of Canadian story telling legends. Walter Gretzky is a charismatic gentleman with a gift for making a complete stranger feel like an old friend within seconds. In my mind this man is Canada's ambassador of culture, the epitome of the kindness that we are capable of. Later, Kenaz Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Buying a dishwasher shouldn't be hard... ...but my little counter top dishwasher purchase turned into the quest for the holy grail for frig sakes. First I went looking for the perfect make and model for my kitchen that isn't equipped for a full built in model. A few clicks of the mouse and I found this Danby model. Perfect for me, energy efficient, the right price, things are going perfect. Than the wheels fell off, I wanted to buy in online and have it delivered. Four different American shopping websites, all said they shipped to Canada, hit the send order button, get an email back from each one saying oops! we said most products to Canada but not the one you want. Two days later, I learn from the Danby site that a couple of stores in Hamilton carry this dishwasher, great! I phone Goemans Appliances, they don't sell this model. But! they say Walmart has it. I phoned Walmart at Eastgate, closest to me, they have one, but! its a display model and they can't sell it to me. I phoned the other Walmart's on Hamilton Mountain. First one don't have it, finally the second one has it. Oh please I beg! can I have it shipped down to Eastgate. Oh sorry we really don't do that because it would require a manager to drive it down personally. I try my case, I don't drive and would be a costly cab ride. A little more chit chat and I throw in that I work for Hotz Environmental and we handle the removal of the freon in all Walmarts damaged fridges, air conditioners and the like. I'm not sure if this did it, but at least I got her talking to a manager. Long story short, that was Wednesday last week, I got a call back yes indeed I was getting it shipped down, but it will take five days. Great it only took god six days to create the world, five days to drive twenty minutes. Any way, I got a call yesterday afternoon while I was out in Westdale, to say the dishwasher was in. Finally! A bus trek across the city, which I almost didn't make uninjured. Along Main Street downtown some moron pulled right in front of the bus, I guess she needed a coffee or some oriental food real bad. If it wasn't for the drivers incredible reaction time, their would have been one less stupid person on the planet and my head would been permanently part of an HSR bus seat. Anyway, I make to Walmart, can't find a salesperson in appliances, finally get the customer service women I talked to on the phone, she tracks down the dishwasher down on a truck. Apparently the donkey died that day or something, and it takes a good ten minutes for my washer to come up. Finally I get it purchased and head out the door. Oh no so fast! the clerk didn't scan it right and off goes the door buzzer. Sir can I see your receipt, asks the door monitor, I show it to her and I assure her, it I wanted to steal something I would pick something I could actually fit in my pocket. Finally get the dishwasher home, hooked up and start washing. Of course the drain hose doesn't connect right and I get water all over my rug. Shut it off, reconnect the hose, finally some piece of mind and clean dishes. No wonder I downed a six pack. Here's the beast that I finally tamed. On a far more serious note, the entertainment and art world lost to greats this week. Condolences go out for Marcel Marceau and iconic artist Ken Danby. Danby known most famous for his work "At the Crease". Later, Kenaz Sunday, September 16, 2007 Hotz Environmental Hotz Environmental Services Inc. is a leader in the field of collection, transportation and recycling/disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).Waste is collected from communities throughout North America and transported to our fully permitted transfer facility, located in Hamilton, Ontario. The Hotz Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility has been designed to exceed all applicable government regulations. Every health and emergency precaution has been taken to ensure the safety of the general public as well as their employees. Which I am proud to be one. What Is Household Hazardous Waste? Many items in your home can be dangerous to your health and the enviornment. The following is a room by room list of products and items that should not be placed in the garbage or down the drain: Bathroom · Aftershave · Batteries · Household cleaner · Nail polish and nail polish remover · Needles, Syringes · Medication and Vitamins · Perfume · Compact fluorescent light bulbs · Tile cleaner · Toilet cleaner · Tub cleaner · Window cleaner Garage · Anti-freeze · Auto body filler · Brake fluid · Car batteries · Car cleaners · Car wax · Driveway sealer · Fire Extinguishers · Flammables · Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs · Gasoline · Glass cleaners · Marine paint · Motor oil · Oil filters · Propane cylinders · Propane tanks · Roof patch · Small compressed gas cylinders · Thermostats · Turpentine · Windshield washer fluid Garden Shed · Batteries · Bug killers · Fertilizer · Flea powder · Herbicides · Insecticides · Pesticides · Pool chemicals · Rat poison · Rodent poison · Slug bait · Weed killer · Asbestos (by appointment only) Kitchen · Abrasive powders · Ammonia based cleaners · Batteries · Cooking oil · Disinfectants · Drain openers · Fire Extinguishers · Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs · Floor polish · Furniture polish · Oven cleaners · Metal cleaners · Metal polish · Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors containing batteries (if batteries are removed, no longer considered hazardous) Laundry Room · Air fresheners (aerosol cans) · Batteries · Butane lighters · Chlorine bleach · Detergents · Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs · Fire Extinguishers · Flea collars, sprays · Lighter fluid · Stain removers · Shoe care products Workshop · Batteries · Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs · Fire Extinguishers · Glues and cements · Mothballs · Paint stripper · Paint thinner · Paints (latex, oil, enamel) · Turpentine · Rust removers · Spray paints · Wood preservatives · Wood stain · Wood varnish Any other household items that have the following symbols on them are considered to be household hazardous waste.A good rule of thumb is if your not comfortable dumping the product down your drain, then it's a good chance it's harardous, bring it in. Household Hazardous Waste brochure Commercial Product Less Toxic Alternatives Bleach Borax (available in the detergent section of most grocery stores) Dish detergent grease cutter 1/2 cup baking soda + lemon juice Drain cleaner Plunger followed by 1/2 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup vinegar + 2L of boiling water General household cleaner (abrasive) Baking soda Grease Remover Borax on a damp cloth Ink spot remover Cold water + 1 tbsp. cream of tartar + 1 tbsp. lemon juice Linoleum floor cleaner 1 cup white vinegar + 2L of water Mildew remover Equal parts vinegar and salt Oven cleaner 2 tbsp. liquid soap + 2 tsp. Borax + warm water Spot remover Club soda, lemon juice, salt Toilet bowl cleaner Paste of Borax and lemon juice Tub and tile cleaner 1/4 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup white vinegar + warm water Window cleaner 2tbsp. vinegar in 1L warm water What Is Not HHW? ·Ammunition oTo dispose of ammunition contact the local police department ·Bio-hazardous waste ·Empty paint cans, aerosol cans .If the cans are empty, remove lid and place them in your blue box ·Explosives oTo dispose of explosives contact the local police department ·Flares oTo dispose of flares contact the local police department ·Incandescent light bulbs oPut in your garbage ·Radioactive waste oContact: §Atomic Energy Canada §Ministry of Environment ·Reactive chemicals oCall the City at: (905) 546 CITY (2489) When and Where? Year-Round Drop Off Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) can be dropped off at no charge at the City's deopt locations. 239 Lottridge St. N. (north of Barton, Between Gage and Sherman). Monday, Tuesday : 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday : 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Thursday to Saturday : 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Drop-Off Requirements Sharps must be packaged in a sealed rigid container, preferrably an approved sharps container that can be found at most pharmacies. Other options include an empty bleach bottle or metal coffee can with lids in tact and sealed. Sharps in glass containers will not be accepted. Limit of 8 Fluorescent lights (per visit) Limit of 1 thermostat (per visit) Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste is free for Hamilton residents to a maximum of 40 litres. This service is not provided free of charge for the following sectors: • Commercial • Industrial • Institutional MORE FAQ'S Household Hazardous Waste - Past, Present and Future Improper disposal of many household products in drains, sewers, backyards or landfill sites, is not only hazardous to public health but also contaminates our water supply and other natural resources. Averages show that, in the last ten years, less than 10% of all householders participated in HHW programs offered in their communities. Yet the number of hazardous products, available to purchase, continues to grow. Many communities are now implementing HHW programs with frequent, regularly scheduled collection dates and satellite locations, in an attempt to make the programs more convenient and accessible for their residents. At Hotz Environmental Services, all of their innovative initiatives are directed toward designing programs which are streamlined and cost effective for our clients to operate. For example our International Paint Recycling program entails taking all the paint that comes in and first seperating them into acrylic latex and alkyd oil and then seperating them further into eight basic colours(red,green,blue,yellow,white,beige,black/grey,brown). Each colour then goes through a series of filters and quality control before being sold to clients in six different countries, like Mexico and Cuba. Later, Kenaz Sunday, September 09, 2007 Fall Tarot and Rune Reading Since my Spring and Summer Rune and Tarot readings have been surprisingly accurate, I did in fact leave a dead end temp job down at Tomco Steel for a job with meaning down at Hotz Enviourmental.Hotz is a company that doesn't bs you, if your a hard worker they appreciate it by offering you a full time position. I finished up my prerequisate 450 hours two weeks ago, got hired, a two dollar raise, now it's another 50 days until I get into the Teamsters Union and another 3 and a half dollar raise. Saying that, I've decided to do again. Here's my Fall reading, and it looks like the fall has some interesting things in store for me. TAROT Review of the ten card Celtic Spread. The 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 as follows. 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 (see diagram). 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. TAROT Your Question: What does the fall have in store for me? Celtic Spread Quintessence: Cover: General atmosphere Knight of Swords SOMEONE UPSETS YOU BY CAUSING MISCHIEF WITH BAD INTENT. Crossing: Opposing forces The World YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR GOALS AND ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF TRAVEL AND CONTACT WITH PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES OR AREAS. Foundation: Past basis The Chariot YOU MAY BE GOING ON A TRIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THIS TRIP MAY BE DONE BY LAND AND BE WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE OF YOUR HOME. Behind You: Passing influences Ten of Wands A SITUATION OR PROBLEM HAS LASTED A LONG TIME, AND YOU HAVE YET TO SOLVE IT, BUT SOON THIS WILL COME TO AN END. Crowining: Possible future Nine of Wands YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A PAUSE IN A SITUATION JUST BEFORE THINGS START MOVING AGAIN. Before You: Soon to come Ten Of Cups YOU SUCCESSFULLY REACH YOUR GOALS, AND ARE CONTENT AND HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE, HOME AND FAMILY WILL BE YOUR PRIORITY AT THIS TIME. Hopes: Goals or aspirations The Emperor A POWERFUL MALE OR STRONG MINDED WOMAN WILL ENTER YOUR LIFE WITH THE INTENTION TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE THROUGH A NEW PARTNERSHIP OR RELATIONSHIP. Opinions: What others think Five of Cups YOU ARE LOSING INTEREST IN A RELATIONSHIP OR SITUATION, AND ARE CONTEMPLATING ENDING IT. Feelings: Fears Six of Pentacles YOU ARE OR WILL BE GENEROUS OR KIND TO SOMEONE ELSE, THROUGH YOUR ATTENTION, EMOTIONAL, AND OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Outcome: Resolution Ace of Swords YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH ABOUT A SITUATION, AND ONCE YOU FIND IT YOU WILL MAKE A DECISION THAT WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE. Quintessence: Death THE OLD SITUATION MUST COME TO AN END, SO A NEW ORDER CAN BEGIN. RUNE:What does the fall have in store for me? The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement. The left rune represents an important element of the past. Perth is the rune of chance and gambling. Throw the dice, read your fate. Gaming is a fine way to pass the night...as long as one is careful. Games of chance have outcomes that are hidden from us, and as such Perth represents secrets unknown. Perth symbolizes enjoyment and wild abandon, but be watchful, for Perth is also the rune of mystery and the outcomes unexpected. You cannot lose if you do not play, but neither can you win... The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Inguz is the rune of completion and fertility. The presence of this rune suggests that tasks which have been initiated will come to fruition. This rune is associated with Ing and Frey, it is this connection that explains its connotations of both fertility and sexuality. The variant of this rune shown here is reminiscent of the twin strands of life, and of the challenge and rewards of bringing together things complimentary. The top rune represents a force that works for you. Tyr is the symbol of the warrior. This rune most represents masculine force and potency, and frequently victory in battle. Beware though, for this rune represents directly the Norse god whose name it bears - Tyr stands out in legend for having sacrificed his hand that he might bind Fenrir, a monstrous wolf that threatens to swallow the world. As such, this rune is known to portend a great victory that can be bought with a terrible sacrifice. Tyr is also the god of law, frequently placed in such position above Odin. In this aspect, protection of justice may be had by this rune. The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Wunjo is the rune of Joy. Since joy is least frequently a solitary emotion, this rune often represents mutual or communal bliss. Wunjo is also seen as a rune of the gods and a rune of perfection, carrying with it the elation that blazes from the creation of a perfect work - perhaps this is the true joy of the gods, that they can create perfection. That aside, this rune does not focus on the struggle for perfection or on our inevitable imperfections, but rather on a job well done and the satisfaction that comes from it. The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Man refers to Mankind and your interaction with the whole of human population. This rune is reversed, suggesting a separation from your fellow man. There is a lack of harmony in your interaction with others, either because you do not accept society or society does not accept you. Alternatively, this rune may also represent your separation from nature, and your ability to rise above the base level of being. As the rune is reversed, this may suggest an incomplete level of spiritual attainment or an intellectual block. Later, Kenaz Tuesday, September 04, 2007 Thanks again Cats!...For another stinker of a season Thank god smell-o-vision hasn't been invented. If it was, the Hamilton Tiger Cats would have to be fined by the CRTC for causing an environmental heath hazard. Anyone passing by the stadium yesterday, oblivious to how bad our football team is, would wonder if 28,600 zombies had indeed invaded. I was not one of them attending this game, nor any game for the last five years, or in fact no games until an owner plans to stop treating fans like complete morons. 'Sideshow' Bob Young spent money on increasing the number of beer concessions and food stands, I guess hoping that if he fills the peons who attend the games with enough overpriced booze, msg dogs and cheese wiz nachos it will dull their senses to the absolute overpriced talentless crap he put on the field. Jesse Lumsden excluded, the tailback is Hamilton's only star. Unfortunately, Jesse was injured for this game. That meant many who where at home or in their favourite watering hole watching this Labour Day Clunker against Toronto were treated to Tommy Chang completing only 5-15 passes, before mercifully being replaced by Maas in the second half. A Maas to Brock Ralph 88-yard pass and run was the only time I cheered all game. 8-15, and how much do we pay Maas that that fine performance? way to much! The Cats got spanked 32-14 by the Toronto Argonauts and Tommy Chang showed his maturity by taking it for the team and admitted they where bad. Too bad the coaching staff and management aren't as mature. They immediately try to spin this awful performance into another game of learning. Look Bob, we are 1-8! and out of the playoffs for the fifth time in six years! And all you can tell fans is by a lame "We're Restless" shirt. Enough of the PT Barnum managerial philosophy, it will be a cold day in He double hockey sticks, before I put my butt onto a piece of plank up in the stands again unless the quality of play improves drastically and now. Hamiltonian's love their Cats, but we deserve more than a two bit shell game being played on us. Later, Kenaz Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Saying goodbye to Lynn Johnston and the Patterson's Syndicated in more than 2,000 newspapers, collected in 35 bestselling books and adapted into six animated specials (and a popular animated series), Lynn Johnston’s For Better or For Worse is one of the greatest success stories in the history of Canadian comics. Now, after nearly 30 years of writing and drawing the domestic drama about the ever-expanding Patterson clan, the Corbeil, Ont.-based cartoonist is winding down the final storyline of her enduring strip....(more) During that time, loyal readers of FBorFW have witnessed Elly’s return to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom, John’s mid-life crisis, the coming out of Michael’s friend Lawrence, and the death of Farley, the Patterson’s family dog — which was so contentious, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz threatened to have Snoopy hit by a bus if Johnston didn’t bring the prized pooch back to life. Lynn Johnston gave this great quote when asked about her desicion to handle the retirement of her strip, different from two other great comic strip writers whom I adore greatly. Q: Traditionally, cartoonists who wanted to retire from the daily grind of newspaper strips had two options: hand their creation over to another cartoonist [what’s called a “legacy strip”] or quit and take the strip down with you, the choice of Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) and Gary Larson (The Far Side). Why not follow their lead? A: Initially that was my plan, and I had sort of speculated on what type of work would fill that space, because that little piece of real estate in the newspaper is a pretty coveted one. Then when Universal Press [her syndicate] said that they felt there was real opportunity to run the older strips, I thought about it and decided that their argument was a good one. Because there were many, many papers that did not pick up the strip in the first 10 years, so in a lot of markets those first 10 years were never seen. But then there were other editors, like at the Toronto Star, the Vancouver Sun, the Chicago Tribune, who have been wonderful supporters right from Day 1, and I didn’t want to sell those editors the same material without adding something new. So that was my thinking. It would not only give me the satisfaction of still being in touch with the characters, but I would also be providing some new material for the editors and readers. "FBorFW" is as Canadaian as maple syrup and held in the same esteem as Wayne Gretzky. We love you, Lynn and the Patterson's will sadly be missed. Later, Kenaz Monday, August 27, 2007 Jamie Foxx opens his big mouth about Michael Vick In an "Access Hollywood" interview Jamie Foxx was to talk about his upcoming projects. The conversation switched to the Michael Vick case and Jamie didn't know that Vick had pleaded guilty yet. Foxx never one to shy away from controversial subjects, may want to think about this comment. “It’s a cultural thing, I think,” Jamie said. “Most brothers didn’t know that, you know. I used to see dogs fighting in the neighborhood all the time. I didn’t know that was Fed time. So, mike probably just didn’t read his handbook on what not to do as a black star.” I truly believe that Jamie is sincere in his belief that the quarterback is not being given a fair shake, but the next statement makes completely no sense. “I know that cruelty to animals is bad, but sometimes people shoot people and kill people and don’t get time,” Jamie continued. “I think in this situation, he really didn’t know the extent of it, so I always give him the benefit of the doubt.” Foxx is so misinformed. There are a lot of GREAT BLACK FOOTBALL PLAYERS who know not to make bad choices. He actually said this “stuff” with a smile on his face? THIS IS NOT FUNNY. Vick may have had athletic success and financial success, but he did not have moral success or ethical success. He is a sad liar who pleaded guilty but won't apologize. PATHETIC. Hunting involves WILD animals and it is supposed to keep the population under control. I am not in favor of it–but it IS different. Dogs are domesticated. Vick “executed” dogs!!! This bastard HUNG them and DROWNED them!!!! He is a sick individual–but sadly he is not alone. He should be made an example–not because he is black (that’s a ridiculous premise) but because he had funded & participated in a cruel, illegal and sick thing. Later, Kenaz Monday, August 20, 2007 Columnist Kevin Werner needs to get help Hamilton Community News columnist Kevin Werner needs to take a few sensitivity courses before his dumb witted opinions do serious damage to either his career or those they are targeted at. On August 10th Mr. Werner wrote an article in which he described black Liberal candidate Nerene Virgin as a tar baby. Virgin, a former CBC Newsworld journalist, was hand-picked to run in the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding. His column, headlined Into the Briar Patch, compared the situation to the famous American Uncle Remus folk tale. "You'd think the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP were lurking behind a tree like Br'er Fox anxiously enticing the cocky and arrogant Br'er Rabbit, or in this case the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek provincial Liberals, to make a grab for the Tar Baby in the road," he wrote. He later referred to a failed Liberal candidate as a "bland white male." The slur is not only offensive to the black community, but to all people of the greater Hamilton area. It is unfathomable, in this day and age, to consider that such crap could be passed off as journalism. It was only a few months ago that broadcaster Don Imus lost his job for uttering similar racial slurs. Clearly, that lesson on social values was lost on the small mind of Kevin Werner. I truly believe in freedom of speech and welcome all forms of opinion but freedom is a double edged sword that must be handled with care. Mr. Werner has a responsibility to adhere to a moral and ethical code of conduct. In this circumstance, he has abused that freedom and shunned his responsibility. Hamilton Community News offered this apology, Hamilton Community News apologizes to our readers, the citizens of Hamilton and provincial Liberal Party candidate Nerene Virgin for a column which appeared in the Aug. 10th issue of our newspapers. Contained in the column, which dealt with the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Liberal nomination race, was a term that has racist connotations. The phrase is deeply offensive - both to our community and our company - and it should never have been used. The writer did not understand the racist implications of this historical term, or the offence that it was certain to provoke. We apologize without reservation for publication of this material. We will be reviewing our internal processes to ensure an error like this does not happen again. I wonder what type of action would be taken if someone was to attach a misguided opinion to Mr. Werner, alluding to his German ancestry and the era when this type of opinion was poisoning the minds of way to many people? Later, Kenaz Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Hamilton's uphill war on pollution Hamilton will always have an uphill fight in an effort to win the war on environmental pollution. That's just the nature of the beast for a city heavy relied on industrial business. It still smarts though; when every time it looks like Hamilton is waging a strong front we get kicked back. Today's news is indicative how aggravating things can be. Premier Dalton McGuinty Ontario government will finally pay their promised $30 million share toward the clean-up of Hamilton Harbour’s tainted Randle Reef. The harbour bottom is tainted with coal tar and heavy metal residue, largely as a result of decades of steel making. All we need now is for the federal and municipal governments to cough up their one third $30 million dollar shares. And now the bad news, The toxic substance that contaminated Spencer Creek following the fire at Biederman Packaging in Dundas was confirmed as being Diainon. A highly poisonous chemical to birds, fish and wildlife and illegal for use in Canada, except for agricultural purpose. The company owner trying to do damage control, came up with this gem, "The stuff we make here is all for home and garden use ... There was no serious escape of any nature." oops! The technical director for Biedermann, covering his ass said the owner must have misspoken because the diazinon is used for agricultural customers. Adding that only a couple of skids where on sight. The Environment Ministry has confirmed that run-off samples taken from within the building contained diazinon. On the day of the fire, a water reading taken at the Mill Street outfall to Spencer Creek found 720 micrograms of diazinon per litre. At the north building of the packaging plant, another reading showed 1,900 micrograms. The lethal concentration to kill 50 per cent of rainbow trout in a given area is between 2,600 and 3,200 micrograms of diazinon per litre. (source The Hamilton Spectator) So that means a quarter of trout in Spencer Creek are potentially dead, not to mention the many plants that the remaining fish feed on. This is not a small problem that can be swept under the proverbial rug, Spencer Creek is a vital link in the chain of this areas fragile ecosystem and any amount of contamination can destroy it forever. Later, Kenaz Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Hamiltonian's rally in support of Dieppe Vets Sickened by the vandalizing of the Dieppe monument, Hamiltonians and city officials showed their pride and thanks for the local veterans promising to repair the lakefront memorial. Not only will the 10-inch bronze crown-and-bugle patch vandals ripped from the cairn's north face sometime in the past week or two be replaced. As well, city officials gave a gift to the veterans in the form of a pledge to pave an adjacent parking lot and repair cracks that have appeared in the concrete wall and foundation of the four-year-old, $420,000 tribute to the sacrifices of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. I hope the degenerates who vandalized and thus spit on so many heros of Dieppe are happy for now. Hopefully when they are caught justice will be served, harshly and coldly. A proper tribute to that fateful day in 1942. A memorial ceremony will be held Sunday marking the 65th anniversary of the battle. Later, Kenaz Tuesday, August 07, 2007 Three year old child offered free on Internet classified This post is for the unknown person who posted a classified ad on Saturday using the free classified ad site www.kijiji.ca offering a three-year-old boy free to a good home. After the post had about 40 hits before it was suddenly removed at noon after a sharp eyed Pediatric nurse spotted the ad and alerted Hamilton police and the Children's Aid Society. While the ad was a hoax or a desperate appeal for help, this person NEEDS SERIOUS HELP!!! and hopefully serious jail time if this is their idea of a joke! The Ad, CHILD FOR ADOPTION Price: Free. Location: Hamilton. Date listed: 04-Aug-07 "I want to adopt the baby out to any happy and lovely family. I have been able to take care of him for three years now and i have provide everything he has ever needed in his life but now i want to adopt him out to any happy family because i really do not have enough to provide him the life he needs. I will only release him to a Christian home he really needs to be with the people who loves him and will not like anything more than having brother or sisters. please if interested, get back to me for more infors" I'm no writing expert or psychologist but, guessing from the bad grammar and typos, IE "using small i" I believe this person is in desperate straits and a child only complicates matters. Hopefully this person can be convinced to turn themselves in and get the help if not for themselves than the child. Then they can be reunited with their child equipped with the parenting skills than will bring harmony too their lives. God bless, Kenaz Monday, August 06, 2007 Colorado sushi restaurant takes a swing at Bonds As Barry Bonds pushes for home run No. 756 to break one of baseball's most hallowed records, a Colorado sushi restaurant is celebrating the man who set the record, Hank Aaron. Hapa Sushi Grill ran a half-page ad last Thursday in the satirical weekly "The Onion" that read "Congratulations Hank Aaron on 755 home runs." At the bottom of the page, the ad(below) continues: "Organic beef and chicken, no added steroids." Needless to say I won't be watching the game. Bonds is an arrogant man who shows he truly doesn't care about the fans, unlike Aaron who was true gentleman and gave to his fans much more than his records. We will never know how many homers Bonds hit that where directly aided by the steroids, no more than we will know how many where hit off bad pitchers. Records are made to be broken, unfortunately the killing of this record can be likened to watching Darth Vader kill Obe Won Kenobi. Later, Kenaz Sunday, August 05, 2007 Panhandling pariahs An incident on Wednesday in Vancouver proves that cops need to start getting tough on these "bums" that pray on our forgiveness. The incident in question involves the "cowardly" attack on a 79-year-old man. Vancouver police said a panhandler robbed and assaulted the 79-year-old man inside a church. As he comes out, the senior more than generously $5 to the panhandler. Quite a hit to the average pensioner's wallet. The "scum" is not happy with that and that's when he grabs the seniors wallet, throws him on the ground and goes to get the wallet. He takes some quantity of money out of it and takes off. Canadians need to stop doling out their hard earned cash for panhandlers, addicts, and drunks to continue their lifestyle and feed their habits. Yes, government cuts have left fewer social programs to deal with this issue, but that doesn't excuse the increasing numbers; especially those under 25 years of age; because it is an easy lifestyle if you don't mind a few creature discomforts. Who's fault is that? There is no question that the government is to blame for much of the problem by cutting social programs over the years. But that does not change the fact that there ARE plenty of temp jobs out there and there ARE alternatives for many. And those that are not capable of holding a job or changing their lifestyle need to be in a care situation somewhere off the street. This is a proverbial "500lbs. gorilla on our backs" that needs to be dealt with and judging by the number of people who flood the call in shows and letters to the editor who express how fed up with this crap they are, tough measures are long overdue. Hard working, tax paying citizens DO NOT deserve to have to deal with this every time they walk down the street. As the bible states "give them a fish, feed them for a day, teach them how to fish, feed them for life. Giving them ANYTHING will not help! Tough measures are the only solution, if they won't use the services we provide to clean themselves up and get meaningful employment, then arrest them for vagrancy, harassment, and force them into treatment, before it leads to more serious crimes. I DO NOT give money to panhandlers, EVER. Why enable their poor choices and drug addiction. If you wish to give money to their cause, charities like the Salvation Army and the good Shepherd are good choices. Later, Kenaz Thursday, August 02, 2007 Support Our Canadian Troops, they deserve it The men and women of the Canadian Forces have demonstrated time and again that they will rise to any challenge. Whether you agree or disagree with the Canadian Government to include our troops in combat roles overseas, please read the following and listen to this haunting song. The link to download is included at the bottom. Our troops in Afghanistan deserve our support.