A Winter's Tale from Hamilton

This picture is taken from outside my house on Sherman looking north at what is normally the smoke stacks of the industrial core. Friday's snow storm turned the neighbourhood into a rather appealing Winter postcard.


To prove how freakish weather in this neck of the woods can be here are two photos of my budding tulips taken one day apart. I've decided to keep a digital diary of my flower bed which includes tulips and later on roses. I plan to take the photos and create some sort of online album, tracking the birth and death of the flowers throughout the season.



Later,
Kenaz

`This Thing of Ours` that is Hamilton Ward 3

Hamilton city council and the Mayors office continues to fumble their chances to help the city grow and attain new levels of prosperity and optimism. Instead they let it continue to decay with rampant pollution, poverty, corruption and scandal.

One of the biggest contributors to Hamilton's woes is Bernie Morelli, the head rat in the sewer that is the troubled and impoverished Ward 3. Lets look at Mr. Morelli`s apathetic record for each of the issues.

First a couple of maps of the most heavily populated Ward in the city and one of the most economically and socially diverse. Ward three runs from the industrial North end to the historic brick works and homes that line the escarpment in the South, East from the shopping opportunity rich Ottawa Street, West to the heath service centres on and near Wellington.



The first reaction of anyone driving down Barton Street is rightfully, to put blinders on as they pass the decades of neglect that hang off the eyesore drug dens, junk shops and bars that cater to crime. These black holes suck the life out of the jewels that passerby`s don't notice, the family owned Polish delis and restaurants, the Italian shoe and clothing stores that offer elegance on a budget and the myriad of other ethnic offerings. These don`t get the football fans stopping by or the people who are sick of the headaches of shopping downtown. Bernie Morelli says he supports the small business owner and the vision of a Ward that you can raise a child in, but you wouldn't know by the two to one percentage of vacant store fronts to business and the prostitutes hanging out in front of the children's library.

Bernie Morelli, who, has said he "supported" the work of the Good Shepherd. Whether his support is strictly by the purchase of a ticket to a fund raiser function or he actually visits these shelters on his own time and sees the need of this wonderful charities people is open for debate. The truth is the truly needy, the blue collar working poor don`t see a dime in aid that Morelli promises every election. Instead, every housing and financial program that once helped Ward 3 electors fix up their aging homes or afford day care so they could become a contributor to society has been scrapped. In turn when you try to communicate with Mr. Morelli you get a terse response from a secretary and a form letter saying he can`t help.

The councillors "influence" over the new mayor couldn`t have been highlighted better than how council and the mayor dealt with the harassment complaint made against Councillor Bernie Morelli. Even though the investigator concluded that Mr. Morelli had indeed harassed a city employee, council simply gave Mr. Morelli a get-out-of-jail-free card. A arrogate Mr. Morelli said he had nothing to apologize for and he justified his "passionate" and "assertive" actions on behalf of fighting for his constituents. I wonder if this constituent was a financial or moral contributor to Mr. Morelli.

Mr. Eisenberger, looking like a patsy, reluctant at even having to discuss the issue with the media, tried to wash his hands of it, saying it wasn't "my doing." Wishing the whole affair would just go away, a terse Mr. Eisenberger then fumbled around barely mounting an effort to defend city staff, who have had to sit on the sidelines fearful now of what will happen if they have a similar incident with a councillor.

Mr. Morelli agreed to apology with the tact of a fifth grader with his fingers crossed behind his back. The counselor turned face and the apology never materialized, and even had the gall and gumption to demand Stoney Creek councillor Dave Mitchell to apologize for a comment he made that called Mr. Morelli on the issue.

The story going around at City Hall sounds like a page ripped from a script of the Soprano`s. It goes something like this, Fred Eisenberger was sandbagged when he went along with the rest of council to let Bernie Morelli off the hook for allegedly harassing a city employee. According to the buzz, the mayor was given assurances that if he stayed onside, Morelli would, if not offer a full bore apology, at least express regret for the incident.

Rightly or wrongly, Eisenberger accepted the proffered half loaf of remorse and opted to invest his political capital into pushing for an integrity commissioner to monitor future council conduct. But when the voting was over, Morelli did the opposite of what was expected. He demanded an apology from the employee who levelled the accusation against him. And the only regret he expressed was for how the controversy had hurt him and his family. Morelli crossly denies the tale.

An ethical watchdog is sorely needed at City Hall to handle this kind of underhandedness. But don`t count on it, shady and squeaky clean councillors alike would easily go after the cost of the office as a means of getting in the way without being seen as obstructionist.

The Hamilton ethics Detective McGruff`s job would be to investigate a wide range of complaints against councillors, including mistreatment of staff, discreditable conduct to the public, using city resources for campaign purposes, disorderly behaviour at council meetings, receiving improper gifts or benefits and inappropriately using city resources.

My first choice for the job of laying the `Smackdown` in city chambers would be Joanna `Pitbull` Chapman, the little old lady from Dundas who went after illegal campaign donations given to Larry Di Ianni and other members of council with all the resolution of a dog on a bone.

As attractive as this snake charmer is, she'd be a hard sell among councillors who ultimately have to give their stamp of approval. She would be seen as too biased for the job. So how will the commissioner be chosen once council gives the green light? Staff is expected to recommend the normal hiring process.

That means the position likely will be advertised to a select group of friends. A drawn out application process will pursue. A selection committee or panel will make a recommendation based solely on a most favoured bases.

Who ever is given the post, the most important question is how much authority that person will be given. Because of loop holes in the amended Municipal Act, it's an open question whether council can invest an integrity commissioner with the power to actually order punishments, or will he or she merely be able to recommend a course of action for council to follow or not, as it pleases. In plain language, a lot of money and time will be wasted on an attempt by city council to shore up a sagging reputation. Money that Ward 3 could badly use.

Sources,
The Hamilton Spectator, The Hamilton Mountain News, The Dundas Star News and Raise the Hammer.

Later,
Kenaz

Essential Tips To Avoid The Daylight Savings Headache

Daylight Savings Time is like the in laws at Christmas, it causes a lot of headaches and no ones certain who invited them. This year,the pain in the ass is even greater! Great news, DST is coming three weeks earlier than usual this year, thanks to a law passed by the U.S Congress in 2005 and Canada`s follow `Big Brother`attitude. The idea: Extra daylight will conserve energy by curbing the need for electric light.

So in the early morning hours of Mar. 11, clocks must move forward an hour. That means we all can enjoy more outdoor activities on Sunday as the sun will now stretch into the early evening, but of course that means it`s time too go to bed an hour early. This also means we are back to getting up for work in the dark. Of course, these not the only inconveniences inherent in springing forward this year—computers and electronics of various stripes have long been programmed to change the time according to a schedule that has been in place for decades.

No big deal right, wrong! It`s not just the alarm clock that has to be set, your computer might need a patch update to reset the time if your using an older platform, if you have a Palm, Trio or Blackberry device, that needs a download, ditto for your mobile, and if your old VCR actually has the time set correctly, that will need to be addressed.

So, feel like going to bed and hiding under the covers and calling into work Monday saying you have DST flue (not to be confused with a STD).If your boss falls for it let me know. For the rest of us, here's a quick rundown of what you need to know from
BusinessWeek.com

Managing Microsoft

If your PC is running the most recent version of Microsoft (MSFT) Windows, known as Vista, you don't need to do anything. The new operating system was programmed with the new time-change schedule in mind. Prior versions, however, need an update, which can be downloaded.

See Microsoft's Daylight Saving Time Help & Support Center for more information on versions of Windows going as far back as Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4. Versions of Windows that are even older, including Windows Me, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Windows 95, need a little more help. Your best bet is to use a utility called tzedit.exe, which can be found either on the Windows installation CD or downloaded from Microsoft's Web site.

Managing Macintosh

If you're an Apple (AAPL) user, most Macs bought during the last two years and running Mac OS X should be fine, provided you've been regularly updating your software. Updates have already been issued for Mac OS X version 10.3 (Panther) and 10.4 (Tiger).

Not sure if you're appropriately updated? While connected to the Internet, pull down "Software Update" from the Apple menu. If they're needed, the required updates will install automatically. If your Mac runs any version of OS X prior to 10.3, you'll have to adjust the time settings manually. In "System Preferences" find the "Date and Time" icon, and deselect the option to automatically adjust for Daylight Savings Time. If your Mac runs Mac OS 9.2 or earlier, you'll have to find the "Date and Time" control panel and uncheck the option to change to Daylight Savings Time automatically. Then set the time yourself.

Handling Handhelds

Most mobile phones automatically set their own clocks based on the time settings of the nearest cell-phone tower. But this year, smartphones including BlackBerrys, Treos, and those running Microsoft's Windows Mobile aren't quite as sharp as they should be. BlackBerry devices from Research In Motion (RIMM) all need an update to their internal software, which you can get either from your wireless service provider or from RIM's Web site: Using your BlackBerry's Web browser, go to www.blackberry.com/dst2007/patch and follow the prompts to download and install the patch. The process requires a reset, so it's worth backing up the contents of the device to your PC before starting.

Palm (PALM) devices like the Treo line of smartphones—including those running the Palm OS and Windows Mobile, as well standalone PDAs such as the LifeDrive, Zire, and Tungsten—all need an update that must be downloaded to a PC and then installed on the device while it's connected to the computer. The update can be found at the Palm Web site.

On other Windows Mobile devices, you can use the device's Web browser and go to the Windows Mobile site and follow on-screen instructions for installing the necessary update.

Retro-Fitting

Now, for those of you who still own a VCR—assuming you managed to set its clock in the first place—there's a good chance it's too old to have an updated, preprogrammed Daylight Savings Time schedule. So you'll have to break out your owner's manual and change it manually. (If like many machines, your VCR is still flashing 12:00, the time change won't make much difference).

Some models that support VCR+ will automatically be updated. But if you do a lot of timed recording and aren't sure, it's worth checking in with the vendor by calling the support phone numbers in the owner's manual—lest you miss that recording of Battlestar Galactica by an hour.
For Your Consideration

Finally, you may not think it's necessary to change the clock settings in a digital camera or camcorder—but these devices have small computers in them too, many of which were programmed before Congress mandated the time change. And don't forget the time stamp in the corner of photos and videos. Having that off by an hour can foul up organization later. Most will let you set the time manually.

Later,
Kenaz

Compassion for Matthew Daly`s Grandparents

This is a letter to the forum section from today`s Hamilton Spectator written by the grandparents of slain teenager Matthew Daly. It is re-posted in its entirety and without edit and without prejudice.

Our grandson's killers got off lightly
By Fred and Eileen Bergman, Burlington

Matthew Daly was our grandson. He was an outstanding young man, loved by all who knew him. He had a great future ahead of him.

On May 19, 2001, he was ambushed and beaten to death by a gang of six to eight men armed with clubs and bats. You, the public, have read the details over the years. All five individuals charged, plus three others, allegedly were members or affiliates of a Hamilton gang, the Oriental, or Original, Blood Brothers. The four who attended the private party were recognized by their clothing and were asked to leave by the hostess and, later at her request, by some of the male partygoers.

Legal proceedings began shortly after the October 2001 arrests and continued for almost five years until the trial began. Over this period, our family had to listen to the details of Matthew's horrible death dozens of times. It was emotionally draining. The victim seemed to be forgotten during all the tactics, manoeuvres and grandstanding employed by some of the defence lawyers. Most of them showed little or no empathy for the victim but were totally absorbed in beating the system and in obtaining lenient sentences. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is clearly there only to protect the accused, not the victim.

The action of one juror in hugging a defence lawyer in front of our family, after the client received a lenient sentence, was disgusting and reprehensible. Some lawyers need to learn there are only losers in such trials, and that grandstanding is deplorable.

Ten defence lawyers were in court almost every day court was in session, over almost five years. Most of the defence lawyers used everything they had to delay and extend court proceedings with useless rhetoric and vitriol, a lot of it aimed at law enforcement witnesses. It would last for days without accomplishing anything, except run up the lawyers' fees. We are all paying these fees through legal aid.

The two-for-one law -- two days counted for every day served before sentencing -- for those convicted of manslaughter after being charged with murder, is ludicrous. It must be changed. Matthew's killers received almost minimum sentences; their jail times range from a minimum of time served before sentencing to a maximum of another 7 1/2 years. One of those convicted was two months younger than 18 years old at the time of the attack; he can only serve a total of 7 1/2 years before release.

A murder conviction is supposed to be a life sentence. Is this justice, or a slap on the wrist? We all must get involved in repairing a broken system.

We must acknowledge the tremendous effort by Halton and Hamilton police, led by then-Sergeant Martin Power, and the Halton Crown's office, led by Brian O'Marra, in bringing the killers to justice. The first thing some defence lawyers do is to put the police on trial with vitriol, disrespect and unending questioning. They don't play fair.

We have great admiration and respect for the manner in which the police and the Crown conducted themselves with dignity when facing unfair, malicious attacks by the defence. We sincerely thank them for their efforts.

Peace,
Kenaz

Updated news from Bartonville

As I briefly mentioned yesterday, a massive fire lit up the north end of Hamilton yesterday that could be seen as far away as Dundas. The blaze broke out around 1 p.m at Baresa Kitchens, located at 65 Biggar Ave, between Lottridge and Sherman Ave North just north of Barton Street East.

Hamilton Spectator Photos



The fire was started by a handyman trying to melt snow from the roof with a blowtorch. Nobody was injured thank god, though the building is a complete write off. The worker on the roof tried to put out the fire himself, but eventually was overcome by the fire and was rescued by firefighters. Early estimates peg the damage in the area of $1 million.

Fate struck again this morning just after 6am further on Biggar Ave. I heard the trucks responding as I was shaving and shook my head in disbelief, not again? This time it was a house fire, again god was looking down and all five occupants of the home got out.

Some good Bartonville neighbourhood news, a documentary film crew is moving in tomorrow to take over the Bell Air Grill, located at Barton Street East and Sherman Ave North. The "History Channel" project is entitled "The Underground". No doubt the authentic fifties dinner feel of this little gem of an eatery that gives life to its bleak surroundings is what attracted location managers. The diner is home to some of the best Polish food you can get in this city. For location info click on the link in the side bar.



Later,
Kenaz

It's C-O-L-D!

I hope the groundhog is right and Spring is on its way quick. I'm sick if this cold, it's been around -15C plus windchill(-30 this morning at 6:30am) for most of February and into March. I pass this tin man perched outside the neighbourhood Home Hardware on Barton Street East near Lottridge here in the East end of Hamilton, every day and the more winter hangs on the more I feel like him, stiff and cold.

picture courtesy of me

In other action near Bartonville, I came home from work at 5:00 to the sight of cop cars blocking off the intersection at Sherman. I found out that a furniture factory on Bigger Ave (between Sherman and Lottridge) caught on fire. Apparently a worker on the roof touched off the blaze when his welding torch ignited fumes within the building. I will update tomorrow night.

Later,
Kenaz

Re: 'Families enraged at police error' (Column, March 1)

I found this letter to the editor in Saturdays edition of the Spectator. It points out the many outrages mistakes the Hamilton Police have made recently. I've included links to my posts and others on the various subjects.

Let me see if I understand this.

A man police had identified as the most dangerous, most wanted man in the city for the month of January(Corey Rogers) allegedly calls 911 and offers himself to be picked up by police. He is told he should make his own way to the station. He never shows up and, less than two weeks later, is accused of murdering two teens. He's then picked up at his home by police, who pat themselves on the back, according to Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse,(backed up by Chief Mullan) for "good police work." No wonder the victim's grandfather accuses the police of murdering his grandson.

It's mind-boggling and unnerving.

What does it take to spur the police into action? Should the suspect on the phone have also provided a detailed description that he was wanted on charges for robbing and beating a man and leaving him a quadriplegic or for allegedly knocking a man unconscious in a bar fight?

This is the same police service that just recently bungled internal sexual harassment allegations against a senior officer, only to have the charges thrown out because they were filed eight days too late.

This is the same police service currently investigating another group of officers for allegedly drinking while on duty.

(*update of this story since this letter was posted)
***A Hamilton police detective, who was facing seven charges under the Police Services Act, has retired. The revelation came Friday, as a police hearing was to take place in regards to the allegations facing 30 year veteran Larry Larson.

Instead, a tribunal has dropped all seven charges including allegations of drinking on duty, ignoring a robbery call and lying to supervisors, since it no longer has jurisdiction over Larson.

Two other officers have pleaded guilty to lesser misconduct charges, and have had other chargs dropped, in connection with the same incident last April. Constable Jennifer Granatier has been fined three days pay for drinking on duty. Constable Charlene Moses, who pleaded guilty to going to the same home while on duty was fined two days pay.***

Is this supposed to inspire confidence in the delivery and competency of police services in Hamilton? Perhaps it's time for change. Perhaps police services board chair Bernie Morelli should either step down or start asking real questions of the police service under his charge. Hamilton residents expect a higher standard, not a police service apparently rife with incompetence and negligence.

Later,
Kenaz

Going Old School

I was going through some of my Dad's old record albums and pulled out these classics and decided to create these projects using digital pictures of the covers. I've added some interesting facts about the artists. We all know "Hank", "Willie" and "Johnny" by first name but some may not know the Canadian legends "Stomping Tom Conners" or "The Irish Rovers" very well so I've included them as well. All these artists music played generations before my time but they are all still relevant in their messages and sounds so much better on vinyl than CD or MP3. It's a shame that radio ignores these great artists talents, oh well as long as the record player still works, I will keep the message of these balladeer's alive.




Later,
Kenaz

Those we lost in February

6-Frankie Laine, 93, American singer ("Mule Train"), complications of hip replacement surgery.


8-Anna Nicole Smith, 39, American 1993 Playmate of the Year, widow of tycoon J. Howard Marshall.


Joe Edwards, 85, American comic book artist best known for his Archie and Li'l Jinx comics, heart failure.


15-Robert Adler, 93, Austrian-born American co-inventor of the TV remote control, heart failure.


17-Michael "Mike Awesome" Alfonso, 42, American wrestler, twice ECW World Champion, suicide by hanging.


21-Victor Clemett, 107, Canada's second oldest living veteran of WWI.

Later,
Kenaz

Hazy shades of Winter

Here in Hamilton, it looks as if "Old Man Winter" isn't ready to release his death grip just yet. The last two days have been really dreary and grey and it looks like it will remain that way well into March according to the experts. Oh well, looks like the snow pants will have to remain out.

I just hope the old proverb describing March, "In like a lion out like a lamb" is true this year, I'm totally sick of winter. This weather isn't all bad, when I came home from work yesterday, around five, I grabbed my new digital camera and snapped a few shots of my trees in the backyard through my kitchen window.

HP ships a pretty cool photo editing program with their camera. One of the features includes a panorama feature. This allows you take several shots of a large vertical or horizontal object then stitches them together in sequence to give you the full perspective of your surrounding.

I just got finished editing and am pleased with the out come. I didn't intend to create a black and white photo, mother nature provided her own paint scheme and I'm pleased what she picked. What little light there was glistens off the snow on the branches and shows off enough green to offer hope for the return of Spring. The chair I left out by accident last year is a reminder of where I wish to return to instead of being cooped up.

Here's the picture, click to view larger


Later,
Kenaz

Canada,New Zealand worlds apart when dealing with aboriginal issues

Even as Canada’s longest running aboriginal standoff closes in on its one-year anniversary, the Six Nations occupation of a former housing development site in Caledonia, Ontario is not going too end anytime soon and is destined to get even dirtier.

Negotiators on both sides can't find a way to resolve the 200-year-old land claim and end the year-long occupation are still working on basic parts of the land claim, and are no where near bringing an end to a dispute that has torn apart this picturesque town.

While Canada continues to deal with treaty issues in a painfully slow manner, I found this article that proves that sometimes the hare wins the race. New Zealand continues to push forward a billion-dollar settlement plan with its indigenous Maori people, ensuring everything from land rights to language preservation.

According to the article, Canada has been aware of New Zealands judicial efficiency for some time. Canada has signed hundreds of treaties with First Nations groups. Some, such as the Douglas Treaties on Vancouver Island in the 1850s, even used wording from New Zealand treaties. But Canada has largely let the courts interpret First Nations land, New Zealand, meanwhile, created a standing commission called the Waitangi Tribunal to work with the courts and government.

The New Zealand tribunal travels to aboriginal communities on fact-finding missions. It compares each claim with the Waitangi Treaty of 1840, which gave the British sovereignty over New Zealand in exchange for ensuring Maori land rights.

The tribunal accepts evidence a court would not, such as traditional songs, stories and hearsay of the Maori people, said Williams, chief judge of the tribunal and Maori Land Court. It also handles complaints about modern-day government policies infringing on aboriginal rights.

This is a unique solution to a tough problem and certainly worthy of consideration for the Caledonia problem. New Zealand will likely settle the majority of its treaty claims by 2020, for a mere $3 billion, while Canada will probably plod along wasting a lot more tax dollars than that.

The article can be found at CH Hamilton by clicking on the title link.

Later,
Kenaz

A beautiful sunrise over the creek

I snapped this digital photo of a great looking sunrise yesterday about 7:00am while I was waiting for the Stoney Creek bus to arrive at the Bell Manor Loop on Barton. I was heading into work.

Later,
Kenaz

Something stinks at city hall

Hamilton is a far cry from Scotland but city hall is sure beginning to resemble the dark underhanded world Shakespeare depicted in his classic Macbeth. To paraphrase "Something Wicked This Way Comes".

I called Mayor Fred Eisenberger "Fast Freddy" back when he was elected because I knew he won strictly on the voters apathy for the former mayor. He ran an election based on convenience. What ever the voter wanted to hear, Eisenberger was quick with the soothing talk that cured the burn left by a previous council that took and took until the coffers where bare.

Promises bound forth with the new mayor and newly elected and refreshed Hamilton council. So much for elevated transparency, morals and principles. Three city managers were fired after an independent investigation into a harassment complaint in the city licensing department. Yet, Council voted in a secret session last week to ignore a report's recommendation that Councillor Bernie Morelli receive sensitivity training as a result of his harassment of a city inspector two years ago.

Discipline, it seems is acceptable for city staff, it seems, but not for council colleagues. Councillors, hide behind a cloak of confidentiality. What happened? Where's the transparency? Where's the openness? Instead, voters are stuck with the dank smell of dare I say it oh so softly "corruption".

Eisenberger isn't cocky enough to pull off such a ruse. Eventually he will reveal the truth, like that of a modern day Rosencrantz & Guildenstern. And Counselor Morelli could be left with bloody hands.

Eisenberger, designated by council to speak on this issue, has already got his signals crossed with Morelli. The mayor gamely said the councillor "has indicated regret that the incident happened," but the councillor was unrepentant. "I regret this discomfort for me personally," he says.

Ominous warnings came after an operational review, "Heads will role" came the echoes. But it wasn't the dirty players it was the three scapegoat managers who where fired after an investigation. Morelli slipped off into the darkness, escaping the wrath of the "ghosts".

Morelli berated a city employee, which he does admit. If Morelli had a problem with how a city employee was doing his job, he should have taken it up with the appropriate supervisor in a professional manner. For a councillor to throw his weight and position around like that is an abuse of authority.

Morelli has convinced colleagues his actions weren't harassment, but he won't convince the public who have backbones and won't stand for this kind of nonsense.

Later,
Kenaz

Lack of evidence, lack of credibility

A couple of issues have arisen this week that I have to throw my two cents in about. Firstly, my support goes out to the three fired Managers within the City of Hamilton's Licencing Department. Licencing Director Tom Redmond, manager Susan McGrath and Co-ordinator Randy Charlton were fired last month in connection with the harassment of a taxi inspector by Councillor Bernie Morelli.

On Friday politicians voted not to reprimand Councillor Bernie Morelli, despite an independent investigator's finding that he indeed had harassed the taxi inspector and should recieve sensitivity training. The deceission was based on lack of evidence.

If the plump goose escaped the knife than its not right for these lambs to go to the slaughter either. They should be given their jobs back.

My second bone to pick is with the the Hamilton Police Service and their inability to get their act together when it comes to dealing with its own officers under the Police Services Act.

It is absolutely unacceptable that two recent police act cases have been lost on a timeline technicality. There is no excuse for not ensuring charges are laid within the allowed timeline or, if there is uncertainty, seeking the extensions permitted under the act.

Dropping the ball in this way, again, eats away at public confidence. This kind of sloppiness fuels public disrespect and cynicism. It also lends fuel to public perceptions that transgressions by police officers are not taken seriously enough and that police protect their own.

The most recent problem comes after 24 harassment-related charges against Sergeant Kevin Dhinsa were thrown out by a police tribunal because they were laid eight days late.

Twelve female Hamilton police employees potentially put their reputations and careers on the line by lodging complaints against Dhinsa. These women showed courage in complaining against one of their own. In return they where disrespected by Hamilton Police Association administrator Brad Boyce who showd lack of morals when he chose to characterize the Dhinsa decission as a "win". His guilt was not established. Neither was his innocence.

Unfortuately, the legal ring isn't the same as a boxing ring, these women do not get a rematch and a chance to rub the smug grin off their opponents face.

Chief Brian Mullan must get a firm handle on this problem because, as he has said before, the buck stops with him. If the people to whom Mullan delegates responsibilities too, don't clean up their acts than the good chief should be prepared to die by the sword of public trust.

Later,
Kenaz

I survived the Valentine's Day storm!

The week started off rough (see my post for Monday), and wasn't looking much better as this years storm started to blow in late yesterday. Well, it's (over the) hump day and what a difference a day makes.

Before anybody north of Hamilton or out west bitches about how bad their winters are, let me first start by stating, yes Hamilton only gets hit bad usually once or twice a year with a bad winter storm and usually at this time of year.

This year was no difference, old man Winter combined with Hamilton's own phenomenon called the "lake effect" dumped 40cm(16") of snow in a little more than a day. Combined with the winds, three foot snow drifts made the side streets completely impassable.

That brings me to the commute to work. The city of Hamilton did a great job of getting the main streets plowed early. I caught the 6:30am bus right on time, got to Bell Manor no problem. The Bee Line wasn't so swift this morning though, it was 20 minutes late arriving, but at least the Barton bus stuck in the snow bank at the turn around provided a nice warm shelter! Any way only 15 minutes getting to work, but no problem, I was met with, "I'm glad your here". Seems nobody could get their car started or decided to stay in bed. Their are fourteen people on the shift, not including the plant manager or the office staff who didn't make it in. Six of us managed to get in.

The icing on the day came at the end of the shift when the plant owners who came in later round all of us up, including the three guys on afternoons who made it in. First thanked us for kicking ass from a production stand point, then handed out each of us a $50 bonus! Cool! Oh they even bought us pizza at lunch! Double cool!

This made my day, even having to wade through a hip high snow drift to get to my bus home couldn't remove the smile on my face. Well that's my Valentines Day storm report.

Later,
Kenaz

I hate Mondays, ask me why?

The old song "I don't like Mondays" is certainly appropriate today. It started off bad at 11:00am when I received a phone call from my boss at the temp agency informing me that the company I've been placed at for the past four and a half months no longer wished to employ me because I didn't show up for an optional overtime shift on Saturday. Firstly, any overtime worked is strictly the discretion of the employee. Secondly, on three separate occasions throughout my Friday afternoon shift I told the shift supervisor twice(I will call him "the elder") and even the boss once that I did not wish to work the shift. In fact nobody wanted to work the shift.

I was even told by the boss that if I didn't work the overtime I would be fired. Hmm, either he was having an aneurysm or my threat to call the labour board dawned on him. Either way within five minutes he came back to me, apologised and confirmed the obvious, that it was my call whether I wished to work.

So, from the end of the shift, in which I was told the shift was covered, don't worry if you want to come in do, to Monday "Your fired!". Now, jump ahead to 3:15pm, I would be late for my 4:00pm if the boss decided to make one of his famous last minute decisions and realize his mistake and re-hire me.

Finally word comes from the temp agency that my Monday afternoon shift was no more, but! don't worry I have been re-hired! and sent to day shift, starting tomorrow morning! Yes!

A nice compromise, hopefully the new afternoons guy enjoys being treated like a servant by a manager with no people skills. Any who, I guess the day isn't as bleak as the weather (a storm is blowing in, should make the morning bus trip fun).

Last night Grammies made me remember another song "Not ready to make nice". An elephant doesn't forget and neither do I. Why do some people have to to lie and deceive to cause trouble?

Later,
Kenaz

Young offenders should be treated like adults

The Conservative government plans to introduce a bill as early as next month to treat young offenders more harshly, including an expected provision to make it automatic that violent and repeat offenders over age 13 receive adult sentences.

This is one promise contained in the Conservative election platform, which promises "to hold young lawbreakers accountable to their victims and the community." That they can ill afford to break. It is time for jail sentences for youths to reflect the growing severity of the crimes.

One change would be to make it automatic for youths aged 14 and over who are repeat or violent offenders to receive heavier adult sentences, a provision that would remove the discretionary powers of a judge to decide on a case-by-case basis. As it stands, it is presumed that serious crimes will merit adult punishment, but it is not mandatory. This discretion was glaringly problematic in the Matthew Daly case, one that lead to one of his killers to walk free after timed served.

The government's plan as expected will run into legal trouble, there is already a challenge, slated to be heard in the Supreme Court of Canada next fall, to the current, lenient law. The case involves a 17-year-old youth who beat another teen at a Hamilton, Ont., shopping mall. The victim eventually died from his injuries.

The Ontario Court of Appeal decided last year that youths in trouble with the law should be treated as children not adults. A three-judge panel in Ontario declared that presuming youths will be punished as adults violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that it should be up to prosecutors to present a convincing case on why youths should be punished as adults, rather than the other way around.

The government also plans to add a provision to the act instructing judges to take "deterrence and denunciation" into account when sentencing youths. The principle, which already exists in the Criminal Code for adults, means imposing longer sentences to send a message to the public.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act came into force almost four years ago replacing the Young Offenders Act which was a joke. This act saw a huge amount of kids walk in the front door of our jails and be turned free even before the paperwork was signed. Or not be charged with crimes such as break and enter or third degree assault because the cops knew they couldn't get a conviction because of a justice system caught in the past when kids actually feared punishment. Now it's all they know, and "wear" it like a badge of honour.

Rehabilitation rather than punishment, only works if the convicted is truly ready to repent for his crimes and wants to return to society. For the other 60% (police say that the new focus has caused a 40% decrease in the number of youths serving time in jail) the proposed bill will see them lose their rights the same way they took from their victim.

Of course the Liberals plan to halt the bill at all costs, they fell that,

"Harsh treatment doesn't work," said Liberal justice minister, Marlene Jennings, who added that she expected that the Conservative proposals would violate the Charter of Rights guarantee that punishment must be proportionate to the crime.

She said she is particularly "horrified" at the prospect of eliminating the discretion of judges to pass sentences as they see fit, on a case-by-case basis.

Inconsistency amongst judges is why the justice is broke and needs to be fixed. I agree with this bill and even some new considerations that have been leaked.

The government is considering going even further for 16- and 17-year-olds. A leaked memo that proposes to give the Crown discretion to use the adult justice system, not just sentencing, for youths aged 16 and 17 who are charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter or aggravated sexual assault. The difference is that in the youth justice system, their names are protected from publication and they do not carry a criminal record into adulthood.

Hopefully this bill of hope doesn't see the shredder like many other bills that have attempted to remedy of sick justice system.

Later,
Kenaz

Favourite Superbowl Ad

The 2007 Superbowl was a mixed bag for me. The wet weather made the game a little sloppy, but it was still competative. Congrats to Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts for a night of firsts.

As far as the half time show, thank god Prince didn't have any wardrobe malfunctions! I was not a fan of the "Purple One" when I was a kid, but I have to admit I enjoyed the show.

Finally, here is my favourite ad. It comes from Blockbuster and features their lovable rabbit and gerbil characters back again. This time they need a little help learning how to use a mouse.



All of the ads can be found at "ifilm.com" or by clicking on the title link.

Later,
Kenaz

A digital tour of my humble abode

Today I invite you to take a photo tour of my home.

There isn't a day that I don't remember how blessed I am to own my home that was left to me by my parents. God bless Ken and Bernice Oliphant
My mail box remembering the past and forging ahead with the new.
Welcome to my home. Palsms 23:4 tells us "As I walk through the valley of death I shall fear no evil, for you are with me."
Adorning my entrance is two of my large artworks on the right leading to the hand painted staircase. It's tough to tell but each stair has an olive branch logo on it.
My Dad was given this autographed tee-shirt for his birthday about five years ago. It has most of the Ti-Cat players of the time on it. I couldn't give it away.
My faithful Calico cat Emilly, who greets me every night after work.
Into the living room, this one many small homage to my parents.
This another peace of my art work that hangs over the couch, it's entitled "expressions". Next it it(right) is a sheet of stamps from the celebrity collection, featuring my favourite actress Marilyn Monroe.
My "Feng-Shui" area of the living room. The white candle-opera represents peace, the red rose represents love and the unicorn and tiger represent the yin and yang of life.
Close in on my portrait book.
A real gas tube radio from around the 1950s? Works great.
My family memories corner, with a photo album full of pictures. The one in front shows five generations of my moms family. The table it sits on, I made in grade 8!. I've only had to take it apart, re-glue it and re-finish it once in all that time. A couple of angels stand guard over the home.
Over my mirror are pictures of my mom and dad and pictures of his family.
I guess I got my artistic eye from my mom, she bought this reproduction of the 1955 Norman Rockwell painting called "The Marriage License".
My dining room table(technically).Most of my meals are downed in front of the tv or on the way out the door. But it's always a nice tranquill place to eat.
Some more of my art work hanging behind the table, the house and mom and dad.
The cabinet full of the copper and glasses left to me by my mom.
The other cabinet with my china. A couple of more angels look on.
My creative corner.
A series of panels depicting various Celtic knot designs. The metal disks are recycled stratched CD-R's. They represent the "mirrors to the soul."
My "Zen" corner featuring the five elements fire(candles), water(fountain), air(bowl of silk lilies represent the oxygen that plants give), earth(the rocks in the fountain) and wind(represented by the openess of the grouping and the clearness of the glass table). The candle holders on the stereo where hand made by my moms brother.
Into the kitchen, this represents man.
On the other side of the window, the representation of women.
These are my share of the many spoons my mother collected over some 30 years. We did alot of travelling when I was a kid and each of these spoons brings back memories of summers past.
My silk floral display in the kitchen.
Up the stairs past the "fruit" series.
An elephant painting on glass that my parents bought.
My homage to my background acting career. These are stills and scans from the various productions that I appeared in.
In another life this used to be a footstool before I stripped it down and re-finished it in an NHL theme. It now houses my hockey card collection.
Down the hallway, hangs my oldest piece of artwork. One entitled "Through the Darkness". I painted this back in high school in 1988.
Into the computer room. Red is the colour of creativity. Here is where I've written my scripts and my blog posts. The characters on the window treatment spell out my name in the Celtic alphabet.
My messy drawing table. Behind the candles are a couple of more art pieces, the larger one depicts a bird of paradise seeking peace for the world held in its makers hands.
Another fruit series done in various arcrylic techniques.
My Yin-Yang painting.
My high school grad picture that hangs behing my computer. Like the pop commercial "I wish I had back some of the hair I had in high school". But I'm glad I don't look like a twelve year old any more.
Down the hall.
This is my weight room
This candle holder is the only good thing about my bathroom worth showing. All the "my bathroom is so small" jokes apply.
Another homage to my parents up in the sitting room in the attic. I'm glad these old houses have full attics.
These are the couple of moms music boxes that I have, the "Eye of tiger" watches over my Ann Rice novel collection.
My horse and cart painting.
In my bedroom is this display of silk flowers. These black and white roses represent the eternal cycle of life and death.
On my dresser is this arrangement of silk roses, orchids and lillies. The curtains behind have a nice scroll pattern, a bit reminicent of the Victorian times. They a very thick and do a great job keeping out the dawn sun (I work until 12:30am every night and often don't wind down until 3am)
The three part "Fire" series which includes the piece "Ring of Fire"
Some more silk flowers. Behind is a hand painted jacket that I did back in 1991.
A closer look at the jacket. It's tough to tell, but it depicts a phoenix rising from it's broken layer. I can no longer fit into the jacket, too bad, I liked it alot.
My favourite hat in my collection. This is a beuatiful wide brimmed Panama style fedora from cerca 1930. A great summer hat.
My 1960's winter hat.
This is my more traditional 1950's "Sam Spade" style fedora. In my Christmas pic from a previous post I'm wearing my depression style poor boy.

Well that concludes the tour of my abode in less than fifty pics. I hope you enjoyed. You can find closer looks of my artwork over in "The Eternal Artizan" section. And over at "The White Oliphant" you will find many more pics of me and my family. Just click on either the picture or word links located in the side bar.

Later,
Kenaz