tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63038212012-02-01T08:17:20.724-08:00A one-time school project gone terribly, terribly wrong.Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.comBlogger11581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-4973524220964038062010-04-30T10:17:00.002-07:002010-04-30T11:11:01.794-07:00

Archie of the Archive popped up to ask the question.Of my long absence let me say this: Never take on the lawyer recommended by your cellmate.Nah ... Actually it's just a work thing. I returned to my trucking roots, or routes, just this past week. I'm still doing some work for a guy who's publishing a book, and I'm applying for a job somewhere between grunt work and middle management, with just

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-69436480736702322112010-03-01T12:30:00.004-08:002010-03-01T14:13:14.714-08:00

This seems like as good a time as any revisit Mr. Bunk Strutts' comments from back about the last ice age. Sure, we both have better things to do, but ...Well actually at this precise moment, I don't. And as I'm leaving town for a while, I figured I should get a post up. Plus I'd been looking into this for a while.Because recently the Daily Mail made a total ₤µ©λup of an interview with a climate

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-30868161280261920222010-02-18T15:02:00.004-08:002010-02-18T15:27:22.029-08:00

Phew. Who the hell left this sandwich lying on the console?Okay, so I was away for a while. I want to thank the staff and those husky damn interns at the Sunnyvale Home for the Particularly Stressed for the length of my stay, and a certain pathological psycologist (you know who you are, sweetie) for its abrupt end, and I'm sure the insurance will cover everything.Lots going on in Canada right now

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-69702948207281850022010-01-08T12:12:00.003-08:002010-01-08T12:34:07.301-08:00

That goes for both of you.I promised Sr. Strutts that I would revisit the comment he left me on my post about the all-too-predictable failure of the Copenhagen Conference, and that's part of what I'm doing today.But I just cleared a major project and have some other stuff to do. So I'll content myself with posting this:This seems to be a pirate video, so I'll refer you to the site where the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-91897751610232795762010-01-01T12:49:00.004-08:002010-01-01T12:59:39.408-08:00

Once in a while we who haunt the interwebs run into something so vile, so wrong, so against the laws of gods and nature that we wish we could un-see it. Here, then, from the "cultural blog," "dog's breakfast," and unholy lair of the Forgotten Ones that is Nag on the Lake, is one of those things.I urge you to hide children, lock doors, douse your monitor in holy water, and ideally blindfold

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-1079455570695617402009-12-31T15:32:00.005-08:002009-12-31T15:45:50.880-08:00

Well the 00s were, to quote Garry Trudeau on the 70s, "a kidney stone of a decade." I'm glad they're gone, and I hope that the 10s will be better.I was going to tot up some of the best-and-worst of the decade, but I'm sure it's been covered by better people, and who wants to hear me go off on Bush the Lesser again? Personally, I don't.What I really want is to wish you and yours every good thing

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-72666572667637207992009-12-30T10:56:00.004-08:002009-12-30T11:20:11.735-08:00

I'm not even dully surprised at the grotesque wankery of Canada's Conservative Government.We don't have "democracy" the way the rest of the world has it. Our head of state is the Queen of England, our Senate is appointed, not elected. At one time Mr. S. Harper made much of this, promising an elected one, which I personally don't want for reasons I've mentioned here before. He also has expressed a

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-56388290206892939882009-12-24T15:58:00.002-08:002009-12-24T16:01:45.167-08:00

Just wishing compliments of the season to all those who randomly stumble across this blog, whether you came here intentionally or are simply fascinated as you might be by a really interesting traffic accident, like say a clown car piling into a school bus, pushing it out into the runway into the path of a 747 which sheers away at the last minute but clips a sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-76165794737597615092009-12-18T12:45:00.003-08:002009-12-18T12:52:09.542-08:00

Caribou Barbie has blackened her running mate's name.Uh, didn't she do that pretty much as soon she joined the campaign? Not that he wasn't making a fine job of it on his own, but he needed someone to ensure that there was something in his platform for crazy, gun-loving, Bible-thumping, white people who weren't male, too.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-50933063778887929152009-12-15T16:19:00.005-08:002009-12-15T16:52:46.455-08:00

Canada's National Post, whose "Full Comment" section would make fine budgie-cage liner did it but exist in print, has been allowed by a bankruptcy court to shuffle under a different corporate umbrella and has thus survived the death of its parent.Oddly, this has not improved the quality of its content, save that John Baglow has apparently decided he enjoys bear-baiting sufficiently to allow the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-34769108759421897942009-12-07T10:56:00.003-08:002009-12-07T11:24:30.649-08:00

The world will agree to a "framework" at Copenhagen. Maybe even sign an actual deal.It will not be binding, with real penalties for failure to reduce emissionsIt won't adress consumer-level pollutionIt will be based on cap-and-trade, but will be watered down, with incentive-destroying loopholes for many nationsHere's Canada's loophole: The Conservative unnatural governing party claims it wants to

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-24849173670713491822009-12-07T10:18:00.004-08:002009-12-07T10:55:36.850-08:00

When "moran" will do.I've been at a loss to explain the lemming-like rush to claim that the famed CRU e-mails show that climate change is all some sort of sham. Often the claims dribble out of the mouths of the same people who claim that Obama doesn't have a birth certificate.We have some thirty years' worth of stolen e-mails. From that thirty-year sample, a handful of idiots have repeatedly

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-87633287124021020602009-12-04T15:13:00.004-08:002009-12-04T15:23:31.478-08:00

I just reread The Jungle Book. It's one of my favourites from Kipling, who is indisputably one of the finest tubercular authors to dribble ink on the page.And I was wondering, particulary what became of the video I once saw in about 1978 of the story of Kotik the White Seal.When out of the blue I hit YouTube looking for a video of the Beatles' Rocky Raccoon for reasons that would take too long to

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-26795982034397597092009-12-03T03:12:00.002-08:002009-12-03T03:28:05.605-08:00

I personally won't be buying this. I mean, the Raincoaster I know isn't exactly hard to buy for. A bottle of gin, or cheap wine left over from last night's party with the ciggie butts seived out, or indeed the mouthwash you thought was such a bargain in the five-litre bottle, that's the sort of thing the type of Raincoaster we get around here usually appreciates.But if you know a fussier one, you

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-1671465507059893202009-12-01T14:13:00.004-08:002009-12-01T14:44:20.847-08:00

I've been away a lot lately. Scrabbling for work, mostly.Let's see, what's been happening. Well I've been spending a lot of time reading about the so-called "Climate-gate" scandal, and I've concluded that a handful of emails, even if they contained a plot that would make Dan Brown wet his shorts, don't in fact change thirty or fifty years of science, backed by the actual data.There's a lot more.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-55431202383808474252009-11-26T09:31:00.005-08:002009-11-26T10:00:54.983-08:00

My Conservative government. Is their fifteen minutes up yet?Not, alas, judging by what passes for leadership among the Opposition parties these days. It's so pathetically bad that I'd vote for the Bloq Quebecois, if they ran a candidate in my riding.The situation:A senior diplomat causes an uproar by claiming that almost all detainees handed over by Canadian Forces in Afghanistan were, and

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-44628471933484161942009-11-10T08:12:00.003-08:002009-11-10T08:41:07.892-08:00

I don't do Twitter. Seriously, d'you think I ever had anything to say in 140 characters or fewer?However, I might just join now. Gene Ray, self-billed as "Wisest Human" and originator of TIMECUBE is on Twitter. So I noticed on Pharyngula.To frame this properly, one needs to consider that Ray's been around pretty much as long as the internet has had the capacity for pixellated graphics and

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-67645560426812326382009-11-04T08:31:00.003-08:002009-11-04T08:44:32.118-08:00

Or maybe we should just call it "Ashcrofted."A US court has struck down the lawsuit Arar vs. Ashcroft.Arar, if we recall from the high and far-off times of about 2001, is the Canadian citizen detained without excuse in JFK International Airport and then flown with the outright connivance of the then-Liberal Canadian government and the active assistance of the Canadian Security and Intelligence

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-25216696394747874822009-10-29T17:58:00.007-07:002009-10-29T19:30:45.414-07:00

The Aspers have apparently decided that their flagship, the National Post may be folded under an umbrella or something. It's all a bit complex to me, but has to do with the Global bankruptcy or something.Mr. Asper heads out to pastureCouldn't happen to a nicer paper. Really. Even if they never did get the spelling of "Nazional" quite right. The problem was that, although they tried to claim an

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-85708829615707304672009-10-23T10:19:00.002-07:002009-10-23T10:23:37.284-07:00

A baby born on an airliner will receive free flights for life, along with his mother.That's amazingly cool.Date: FutureMetro and heavily-pregnant Mme Metro arrive at the flight counter.Attendant: May I help you?Metro: Yeah ... Which of these flights to Australia is the most turbulent?

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-12362538844942549272009-10-22T14:29:00.002-07:002009-10-22T14:59:55.620-07:00

Catholic Metroboy: "Jesus died for your sins."Atheist Metroman: "So what?"CM: "So what? So what? I mean, the guy, right, the guy actually experienced an agonizing death in return for which your sins were forgiven."AM: "But why'd he have to die?"CM: "So that your sins were forgiven."AM: "Who said they needed forgiving?"CM: "God."AM: "Okay, so lemme get this straight: The all-powerful Lord of the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-75523576585549381052009-10-14T09:47:00.003-07:002009-10-14T09:51:03.582-07:00

xkcd is teh ossum.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-78579345477624601352009-10-13T11:29:00.002-07:002009-10-13T11:33:19.547-07:00

From an article entitled "Jesus Made Me Puke":By the end of the weekend I realized how quaint was the mere suggestion that Christians of this type should learn to "be rational" or "set aside your religion" about such things as the Iraq War or other policy matters. Once you've made a journey like this — once you've gone this far — you are beyond suggestible. It's not merely the informational

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-3127285098275516112009-10-10T11:40:00.005-07:002009-10-10T12:17:48.592-07:00

Four brief words on the Obama Nobel:What were they thinking?More words on the topic:I like Obama. If nothing else, the determination of the wingnuts to see Satan, Hitler, Stalin, and possibly COBRA Commander in his shadow makes for grimly amusing TV. I mean, where were they when their boy George was actually busy tearing up the country's vaunted Constitution? Mostly cheerleading.But the sight of

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-86517469879056026742009-10-10T11:37:00.002-07:002009-10-10T11:39:59.564-07:00

Doubtless the right wingers will want to campaign against this one as well.Pathetic.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-82485036823042007772009-10-09T13:17:00.003-07:002009-10-09T13:55:54.983-07:00

I won't repost the video. Harper plays and sings "With a Little Help From My Friends." A song written by people he would naturally consider a bunch of socialist hippie drug users.The reaction from Tory supporters translates into "Isn't he the cutest thing?" People dwelling in the real world interpret it thus: In an effort to make himself look like a better facsimile of a human, Harper somehow

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-87336373740493101952009-10-09T13:01:00.005-07:002009-10-09T13:17:44.074-07:00

Remember that I told you a while back that the Harper Conservative Government(TM) was cutting funding for a program to keep sex offenders from becoming re-offenders? And remember how I couldn't find the link?Yeah, well it turns out that the Harper Conservative Government(TM) did an about-face and re-funded the program, and their spokespeople are busily claiming that "no decision had been made."

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-26907784691979161072009-10-06T07:01:00.002-07:002009-10-06T07:06:34.721-07:00

For headline honesty.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-59156443708214431262009-10-02T10:18:00.004-07:002009-10-02T10:23:01.129-07:00

Overheard around town:Teen girl:"Well if God wanted us to fly, he would have given us wings."Teen boy:"So wait ... God wants me to masturbate?"TG Look of incredulous disgust spreading over her face:"What?"TB:"Well otherwise why'd he make my arms long enough to reach my dick?"

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-12052730234639854102009-10-01T10:38:00.004-07:002009-10-01T10:50:46.271-07:00

Have I mentioned I won a thread?If I win enough threads I could knit a a sock.Canadian Cynic may be a little rough around the edges (I imagine the CC crew sitting around saying "What's it to ya, douchebag?") but they seem to have a good grip on news stories that dip below the radar but are still important politically.They also expose, day after day, the incredible gap, nay, chasm, between

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-55574301635221118212009-09-29T10:43:00.006-07:002009-09-29T11:49:54.924-07:00

In the news today I see that sex offenders in Georgia and Florida have reputedly taken to living in tents.The group of nine men were told to live in the woods in the southern state after they were unable to find housing far enough away from areas where children congregated, such as schools and playgrounds.Georgian law bans the state's 16,000 sex offenders from living, working or loitering within

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-25854216115648184842009-09-25T06:50:00.002-07:002009-09-25T07:22:08.973-07:00

And it's from "E!" network, fer FSM's sake--The gut-spilling, wrenching void of celebrity goss and toss."The truth, no matter how uncomfortable, is never too much information."It's the last sentence of a surprisingly deep blog post that must have been handed out to E!'s headline writers without notification that this was a genuine piece of thoughtful opinion.The headline is "Mackenzie Phillips Is

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-63963284620890439172009-09-18T08:09:00.002-07:002009-09-18T08:11:56.674-07:00

From my Canadian Tire flier, which arrived as usual with the Friday paper:Toilet seats 20% off: Wide selection.Have a good weekend.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-51925984132305665242009-09-16T13:14:00.002-07:002009-09-16T13:30:54.470-07:00

And not the one you've been hearing about.For those of you tuning in late, the Goldstone Report, realeased today, offers stern criticisms of Israel's actions in the late wars: " Although the U.N. investigation found that Palestinian militants also committed war crimes, the overwhelming majority of the criticism in a summary of the 574-page report targets Israel.Israel "committed actions amounting

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-26506692054759030772009-09-13T07:28:00.004-07:002009-09-13T07:36:35.617-07:00

Over at the theoretically-leftish Toronto Star, an editorial asks the question: What's the reason for an election?The question is: why an election now, other than that it would save the Liberals and the others from the embarrassment of having to continue "propping up" the Conservative governmentNow personally, I feel that that question answers itself. However, Randall Denley at the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-61113057402917129342009-09-05T05:50:00.003-07:002009-09-05T05:57:07.430-07:00

Or maybe it's just gyproc dust ...Barb and k.morrison pointed out in the comments on the post below that the floor for receiving the home renovation tax credit is $1000, rather than $10k.Serves me right for posting in a hurry. Also for getting my information from home reno store handouts rather than the website. So the tax credit may be of some worth. Though I personally feel a new government is

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-17385109547480252012009-09-03T17:00:00.003-07:002009-09-05T05:58:34.091-07:00

Michael Ignatieff, that shifting mass of shapeless ego currently fronting the Liberal Party of Canada, has decided that a Loyal Opposition party should, like, oppose something the government proposes.For most of his reign, Steve Harper (PM pro tempore) has been sneaking poison pills into his legislation which effectively turn everything into a confidence vote. Thus, should the opposition actually

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-82436932101742798452009-08-20T14:06:00.004-07:002009-08-20T14:30:50.454-07:00

Premier Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals* (who are conservatives) have just announced that, for some reason, they've lost $2 bn in revenue that they projected we'd have since June. Extrapolated to the end of the year, that suggests that their financial projections--the ones they fought the election on (you remember--the election which included the promise of no new taxes?)--are off by about $6

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-77223513294492253762009-08-12T12:47:00.002-07:002009-08-12T13:03:00.386-07:00

Because some things are too good not to share:Personally, I always figured he was the hidden genius behind the show, just as R2-D2 is the hidden mastermind who leads the Rebel Alliance.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-22873060347636010912009-08-12T09:16:00.005-07:002009-08-12T09:25:57.091-07:00

Raincoaster has been following the threads of the Great Meerkat Conspiracy, which has explained so much in terms of the rarity of fairies, the reduction of fish stocks, and the shortage of four-leafed clovers (they got the leprechauns first, don'cha know).However, now ominous news reaches our peepers of the newest soldiers in the Meerkat War With Fish and People.It is truly the saddest of news,

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-80609283399232013652009-08-11T10:15:00.005-07:002009-08-11T10:51:06.305-07:00

I'm honestly wondering whether Conservatism isn't merely a political viewpoint, but a psychotic disconnect.Case in point: Our own Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, is blaming Canada for the recent imposition of visa requirements on Mexicans, which you may recall was a summer surprise from his government.That is, asked to explain his government's actions, Harper goes for the "It's not my fault--The

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-66471793798554440702009-08-10T07:07:00.003-07:002009-08-10T07:23:03.583-07:00

A friend posted a link wishing that "track pants were sexy, Mondays were fun, and guys were simple."And I thought "Pardon?"How many guys do you know who'll spend an hour getting ready for a night out, then collapse in tears because "I'm a mess!"?How many guys do you know who own twelve pairs of shoes, and not one "walking" pair?How many guys ever looked into the eyes of a woman they're in bed

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-37906066017193067572009-08-08T13:19:00.005-07:002009-08-09T09:46:58.813-07:00

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't,

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-1829372229392957742009-08-06T12:46:00.006-07:002009-08-06T13:37:27.842-07:00

As I sit here with the smoke of a local forest fire in my nostrils, I notice this from CTV:Despite B.C. fire turmoil, people still taking risksUpdated Thu. Aug. 6 2009 1:51 PM ETThe Canadian PressVANCOUVER -- Despite international attention to B.C.'s burning forests, some people are still lighting camp fires and discarding cigarettes in the woods.Forests Minister Pat Bell had first-hand

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-23980534234538696182009-08-05T12:46:00.001-07:002009-08-05T12:49:01.247-07:00

"And the very same people who told you that weapons of mass destruction were real are telling you that climate change is not."Indeed.One should consider one's sources. They were wrong about the economy, about the Iraq misadventure, and about so many other things ... Why would anyone trust them on anything at all?From this video, found on Pharyngula.

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-48772571540820634642009-08-04T16:54:00.006-07:002009-08-04T17:36:41.859-07:00

Hi Guys:Since your email came from "noreply@suite101.com" (an address I've learned is morally equivalent to "go₤µ¢λyourself@suite101.com") I can't write back to you, but of course the World Wide Web is indeed wide, and so I've decided to post a reply to your reply to my "application" to write for you.In short: Go ₤µ¢λ yourselves.Does that seem rude? Do I sound less-than-impressed by your

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-77787952426303007082009-07-25T10:00:00.003-07:002009-07-25T10:29:43.897-07:00

Let me declare my biases:I'm CanadianI was born to parents whose own parents didn't have "socialized health care" and who regarded it as one of the finest achievements of civilizationThe Canadian health care system helped, at the very least, to save my life on at least one occasion.So I'm mad when I see the system so mischaracterized by the forces who want to continue screwing US citizens out of

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-88849852276033887462009-07-23T15:20:00.003-07:002009-07-23T15:38:54.523-07:00

From one of those rags I don't normally read comes this gem:Three city mayors, two state politicians and five rabbis were among 44 people arrested across New Jersey today when federal agents cracked an alleged Sopranos-style crime ring accused of bribery, money laundering and trafficking body parts and counterfeit handbags.I just knew I shouldn't have bought that handbag made of human skin, but

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-51220682677258827312009-07-20T08:58:00.003-07:002009-07-20T09:01:41.302-07:00

Parliament's out of session so there's not much to rant and rave about, really. Bad copyright legislation coming down the pipe, perhaps a fall election (that'd be nice, although a July election would be nicer).So I've been working on a few things around the house, trying to make a mint at poker, and playing Desktop Tower Defence excessively. I finally broke 9,000 points today. I did it once some

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-20013101676499780742009-07-15T09:50:00.006-07:002009-07-15T10:00:26.422-07:00

I was taking a break from my usual hectic schedule (Up at 6:30, make coffee for Mme Metro, retire to computer for rousing game of poker, crack first beer of day ... Just kidding--Honest!).But I did take a break from some writing work I'm doing to go play a quick game of Desktop Tower Defence. And this is what I saw:And my first thought, I must confess, was:"If I looked like that to start with,

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-21148763950264250202009-07-15T07:55:00.006-07:002009-07-15T08:19:12.202-07:00

Understandably, Israel and many of the nations which stand in solidarity with her, such as Canada, have rejected outright accusations of using tactics which violate the laws of war and the Geneva Conventions.Most of the time Israel has found it easier, and surely more convenient, to claim that such charges are propaganda, even in the face of photographic evidence and multiple sources of

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-73852636729474754402009-07-14T15:28:00.002-07:002009-07-14T15:50:57.697-07:00

Today is Bastille Day!Today in 1789 a group of concerned citizens stormed HM prison le Bastille Saint-Antoine. In honour of which I am having a beer.The lesson of the Bastille is threefold:1) Sic Semper TyrannisThe Bastille's notoriety was due to secrecy rather than based in fact. At the time of its storming, the garrison was mostly pensioned veterans, backed by 30 or so Grenadiers, and the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-8688426119385903692009-07-14T11:03:00.008-07:002009-07-14T12:29:58.245-07:00

Not content with having deliberately and with malicious, venial, stupidity aforethought spiked the Canadian nuclear medicine industry, increased wait times four-fold or so, and bankrupted the country unto at least 2014, my Conservative government decided to announce yet another delightful "What-the-₤µ©λ-are-you-playing-at-you-@$$#013s?" moment this week.Because once you've done such a wonderful

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-498375132131114652009-07-12T08:56:00.005-07:002009-07-12T09:14:05.270-07:00

No, I haven't found work yet. Not entirely for lack of trying, although perhaps for lackadaisical trying. I am definitely busy though: Thus far this summer I'm:Working on a piece for a local magazineIt pays, quite frankly, crap. But the important word in that sentence is the second one.Hosting, Hosting, HostingLast night, a party complete with steel drums. Prior to that, four teen/pre-teen girls

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-84232610251247676162009-07-12T08:09:00.002-07:002009-07-12T08:14:22.761-07:00

It's the comments that get to me. Under this article on a bus rollover that trapped 33 kids inside the bus and injured four people including the driver we find the following rich, albeit gramatically painful, vein of pure asinine:A higher power, was watching over these kids and the bus driver. Those who say that He does not exist, have just been proven wrong.Where to begin.Well first off, how

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-41061040141146764172009-07-10T06:53:00.004-07:002009-07-10T07:50:38.607-07:00

Stephen Harper is not, in the words of Don Corleone, "A man of respect." He fires experts rather than acknowledge their competence, muzzles his own ministers, takes the cheapest of cheap shots, fires off attack ads to "save Canadians" from the threat of another election even when a)no threat of an election exists and b) it's hardly a threat to anyone but him. He's known to be contemptuous of

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-9223199670406401312009-07-07T10:23:00.003-07:002009-07-07T11:37:17.298-07:00

Conservatives are well known for a sort of voyeuristic prurience when it comes to sex. Now it turns out that this is their economic policy too:For example, it's well known that while decrying sex and all things sexually positive, the "family values" types tend to enjoy their lesiure time at adultery, borderline pederasty, prostitution, anonymous gay encounters, and similar purportedly lib'rul

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-90498423861363189712009-07-02T09:39:00.003-07:002009-07-02T09:55:08.048-07:00

Thirty years ago next Christmas or so, my sister managed to get her grasping hooks on a Sony Walkman, courtesy of Father Christmas (known in these modern times as Non-Specified, Irreligious, Entirely Commercial Holiday Figure). NSIECHF had received word that the immature zygote considered it the ultimate in desiderata.It was the hottest thing since Betamax (O Avid Fan children, ask your Avid Fan

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-55164264641873479472009-06-29T15:39:00.008-07:002009-06-29T16:11:16.877-07:00

Sigh. My house is not my own anymore. In a more enlightened society, Mme might be accused of harbouring a nuisance.Some beasts are useful: The sturdy shetland pony, the sheepdog, the goat. Mankind has built a relationship of mutual trust and reliance with these.Then, there's the sort that lounges about on your couch for hours on end before slouching off for a hurried six-hour nap, whilst

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-40152010618816268872009-06-25T15:40:00.004-07:002009-06-25T15:59:12.210-07:00

It's a surprise ending to a brief, sad life dogged by controversy. Assuming it's not a publicity stunt (update: it looks as though it isn't).I liked Jackson's earlier work--up until Thriller. My sister went a long way towards killing any affection I might have had for him by overplaying the album (just as she did with any music she enjoyed. My loathing of Abba remains unabated).Mr Jackson did the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-971094821711615842009-06-25T15:30:00.003-07:002009-06-25T15:40:00.321-07:00

From a wonderful book called "The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast", a discussion between hornet and wasp:Invitations were sent to the Hornet and WaspOn condition they laid by their stings"They might as well ask us," protested the Wasp"To fly to the ball without wings.""I hate you," the Hornet replied"But for once what you say does seem perfectly trueI'll never go stingless as long as I

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-39114656978591725972009-06-14T09:09:00.005-07:002009-06-14T12:32:09.791-07:00

In the wake of two murders comitted by right-wing whackjobs over the past two weeks, the response from Conservatives has been to say "Well, they weren't really Conservatives." They also weren't true Scotsmen.Some folks made so bold as to describe the man who attacked the Holocaust Museum in Washington as "left-wing," deliberately and with malice aforethought confusing National Socialism with

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-64487617244820530992009-06-03T21:45:00.004-07:002009-06-03T23:11:45.997-07:00

This one's long. But it's important. I've tried not to go postal down here, and tried to keep my arguments germane.Lately my government, which had no mandate to make the sweeping and destructive changes it has already wrought in my little country, has been chatting up privatization, with serious words like "scrutiny" and "public funds."They're strapped for cash, their financial incompetence is on

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-5193788599218760592009-06-02T17:42:00.003-07:002009-06-02T17:53:21.251-07:00

Unable to lie quiet, Cheney seems to have found a second wind, with which to try and explain away the grotesque, capering, misdeeds of the Bush calamity of an administration. From today's "Say What" sampler over at Doonesbury we have this justification for Bush's inaction on "terroristic" threats prior to Semptember 11th, 2001:"You know, Dick Clarke. Dick Clarke, who was the head of the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-44396454117842553332009-05-29T13:25:00.002-07:002009-05-29T13:35:59.809-07:00

In the post below I stated that the Harperites (why dignify them by calling them "Conservatives"?) believed government should be run like a business.And that's the problem. Have you seen the way business behaves?Harper's watching the CEOs of Goldmann-Sachs (golden sacks) and the other corporate welfare recipients, and wondering "How do I get MINE?"He's clearly got the idea that if he bankrupts

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-78821093497997341232009-05-28T09:34:00.002-07:002009-05-28T09:36:38.869-07:00

You're the elected leader of a large western democratic monarchy. Going into an election last year you said there was no economic crisis. Then you said there was, but it wasn't necessary to do anything about it. Then, having yielded ideology to reality at the insistence of the opposition you said you would have to do something about it for the good of the workin' folk. Then you bailed out

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-21649872723102975522009-05-20T07:40:00.004-07:002009-05-20T07:53:40.516-07:00

One of the common arguments used by creationists used to be "Well, where are the transitional fossils, eh?"And they had a point at one time. It was difficult to link, for example, birds to dinosaurs, land mammals to whales, and humans to other primates. Surely if one creature morphed into another we should see some in-between forms. But for the past thirty years in particular those transitional

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-41124317366317116792009-05-12T08:42:00.003-07:002009-05-12T09:54:59.054-07:00

Mme and I had a little mini-break last weekend in Banff, the place where everyone is from somewhere else. In one day I was served and had money taken by eight Aussie women. So if you're sitting around in Bundaberg and wondering where all the good Aussi women have got to, you need to visit Banff. If you're a Canadian, sitting around Banff or Whistler and wondering why all the local girls have

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-26370913158651889332009-04-30T12:29:00.005-07:002009-04-30T13:13:04.397-07:00

None Dare Call it "Coalition"Oh is this ever going to be awkwardAnyone remember a time when a few other parties were talking about forming a union of parties to wrest the wheel of government from the singularly incapable pack of rethreaded loose screws currently steering our country into the $#17ter? And what did the Right Wing call it? Ah yes: "TREASON". That was the word they screamed shrilly

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-51723551269155762542009-04-30T12:24:00.004-07:002009-05-04T08:52:07.010-07:00

Correction:As Joshua has pointed out in the comments, I've oviously misunderstood Mr. Graham's remarks. He clearly is advocating some level of accomodation. That said, it changes my perception very little.This is from today's New York Times. The US Republican party is engaged in a struggle between those who, y'know, work in the real world and know what the word "compromise" means and those who

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-35469778497450138502009-04-25T10:19:00.003-07:002009-04-25T10:40:11.961-07:00

From the CBC's Quirks and Quarks science program. Which is under double threat: First, it's a CBC production, and since PM Harpo hates the CBC their funding's been jeopardized by ferocious budget cuts. Secondly, it's about science. And it's hard to find anything the Reform--Sorry, I mean Alliance--Nope, sorry, wrong again ... Conservative Party of Canada hates more than science.How much so? PM

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-39794146534752369782009-04-20T06:48:00.004-07:002009-04-20T07:11:30.272-07:00

A brief primer on BC politics: The current governing party are the Liberals, who behave like conservatives. The opposition is the New Democratic Party or NDP, who behave like conservative liberals. The only other party with any real standing is the Green Party, who are the only actual liberals anywhere in the province. Among the rag-bag of fringe outfits we have a "Christian Heritage" party, the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-17324165994635807422009-04-14T09:28:00.002-07:002009-04-14T09:42:55.893-07:00

All of Canada is rather boringly (or in Thorntonspeak, "gravylessly") abuzz with Billy-Bob Thornton's stupid celebrity tricks.For those of you who tuned in late, BBT had a meltdown on CBC radio while being interviewed by Jian Ghomeshi. Video here.At issue was a) whether mentioning that BBT had another part-time gig as a film star violated the guidelines Ghomeshi was given "not to talk about that"

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-55533781929459491852009-04-09T11:58:00.001-07:002009-04-09T12:01:08.099-07:00

PETA (which stands for Dopes Who Want to Force Other People to Go Vegan And Will Do Some Damfool Things to Achieve it, apparently) wants the '80s pop band Pet Shop Boys to change its name: From the CBC"You have many loyal fans of the Pet Shop Boys here at PETA. We have a request that may at first seem bizarre, but we hope that after considering the following facts, you will understand why we are

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-60339040064567394292009-04-08T11:52:00.002-07:002009-04-08T12:01:15.766-07:00

Probably. My excuse is that I'm avoiding having to think about the GM Venture van sitting in my driveway awaiting a compression test.If anyone asks why GM is going the-₤µ©λ broke, you can describe the procedures for removing the alternator:Disconnect battery cables.Disconnect front engine mounts and rotate engine forward as far as possible.Undo alternator bolts.Raise vehicle on ramps, hoist or

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-17412482004834268392009-04-08T11:50:00.001-07:002009-04-08T11:51:59.197-07:00

I mean it. Well look: Jim Morrison, the original American poet. StonedPink Floyd: Stoned, with the exception of Syd Barrett (crazy AND stoned)Matt Good: Crazy.Maybe, just maybe, is it because somehow I want to reach out and touch a little crazy, a little out-of-the ordinary?Or maybe-just-maybe is there something I recognize of myself in there? Something that writhes and barks in our/my soul(s)

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-46742154914384088232009-04-02T12:26:00.003-07:002009-04-02T13:56:24.965-07:00

Today in my inbox were three appeals from my buddy "Big Jim." Jim is a nice guy, plays poker reasonably well (but not so well that I don't take him off the table oftener than he does me), and makes a fine beer. However, he's a full-on kook.He's a New World Order conspiracy theorist, and is entirely serious about it. He sees the shadowy hand of the Illuminati or someone behind every new piece of

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-16382325826620122852009-04-01T16:24:00.000-07:002009-04-01T16:25:44.490-07:00

Go to your favourite search engine and enter , in quotes, your name and the word "needs". So I enter "Metro needs" and here's what Google thinks I need:1) Reform2) $11 Billion3) To go4) 234 new (rail) cars5) Lessons on pronounciation6) Assistance7) Assistance with trail counting8) To know results of card giveaway9) Millions in repairs10) More taxis11) To learn from Teen Challenge12) To pay

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-12856571075958517932009-04-01T14:50:00.004-07:002009-04-01T14:58:27.216-07:00

Yes indeed, sir.And sir, had you been Prime Minister in 2003, how many people would we have in Iraq fighting that particular "diversion"? And how many would have died?Here's what you said at the time that "diversion" began to get rolling--or rather, what John Howard said. I presume you were both faxed the same speech from Mr. Bush's office?Never mind sir, we know you supported the war in your own

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-36962796696598258412009-03-31T09:24:00.004-07:002009-03-31T09:52:56.084-07:00

Much of the business world is frowning down their columns today after the Obama administration attached a major condition to the bailout of sputtering GM corp: The resignation of Rick Waggoner. The Obamadmin also hinted that it would allow GM and Chrysler to sink rather than be dictated the terms of a bailout.Waggoner has been in charge for about half a decade, give or take, and all that time

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-55981433995629938922009-03-27T10:47:00.004-07:002009-03-27T11:09:16.248-07:00

Sometime in the way-back-whenago my longtime friend Hobbes stopped in for a visit. We haven't seen each other for about many-many years, and we've clearly wandered a long way from our Catholic school days in La Belle Province.Hobbes most recently wrote me to say that he'd written a story with me in mind. I found it fascinating, and said I'd post a link to it. Here, after rather too long a delay,

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-10448150610900171972009-03-25T05:49:00.002-07:002009-03-25T05:52:30.474-07:00

From the BBC: China says video footage that purportedly shows Chinese security personnel violently beating Tibetans last year is "a lie".The video apparently shows protesters being beaten with sticks, and kicked and choked by China's security forces.The Tibetan government-in-exile says the footage shows China's "brutality".But a Chinese government official said many of the images and voices in

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-26120203679660077542009-03-23T10:41:00.003-07:002009-03-23T10:48:27.041-07:00

Mme and I were having a discussion as we walked to work (her work. I'm as yet underemployed) about the things that sometimes happen to couples."I think," quoth she "that we're good enough friends that even if things didn't work out we'd still live together."She thinks.Naturally my first thought was to wonder why the hell that thought had ever crossed her mind.However, on second thought we've both

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-85028893597247491022009-03-21T10:04:00.002-07:002009-03-21T10:07:10.572-07:00

At a private mass in the capital Luanda, Pope Benedict has told members of Angola's clergy that they should work to convert people who believe in traditional witchcraft.~Voice of AmericaShorter Pope: "Abandon your ridiculous fetishistic outmoded traditional tribal beliefs and take up MY ridiculous fetishistic outmoded traditional tribal beliefs!"

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-84069666545008160862009-03-19T11:56:00.001-07:002009-03-19T11:57:47.310-07:00

Besides the Post column referenced below.From World-O-Crap, written of seventies Christ-power flick The Cross and the Switchblade.Erik [Estrada] stares at Pat [Boone] with what we imagine is the same look you’d give a man standing next to you in an elevator if he suddenly set his own pants on fire and began to juggle fetal pigs.Which is why WOC is going into the sidebar. If I ever get the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-74489895020137639142009-03-19T07:27:00.003-07:002009-03-19T07:39:19.376-07:00

I've often said that the journalism in the National Post--Canada's major right-wing rag and proud standard bearer for the Asper group--is quite good, it's the opinions and editorials that should be printed on thin, soft paper and left in outhouses for the apropriate purpose.On the subject of Gary Goodyear, Canada's apparently-creationist of a science minister, the first person out the gate was

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-23616179630895985842009-03-18T18:52:00.003-07:002009-03-18T18:57:27.259-07:00

I clearly had no idea how serious Natasha Richardson's injuries were. I read this evening that she has died. I apologize for the harshness with which I treated her.On the off chance that anyone remotely connected with her should read this, I express my condolences to her family. In honesty, I'm leaving the post up as a reminder to myself.My point about celebrity journalism still stands, and I

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-16240994805833294322009-03-18T09:00:00.003-07:002009-03-18T09:59:58.826-07:00

--Who the flaming, frying, flying, fiddle-eye ₤µ©λ is Natasha Richardson?Okay, she falled down go boom, bumped her head. I sympathize. But she seems to have taken over Google news, and I'm sorry, no actress deserves the attention she's getting. I mean, she fell on the friggin' bunny hill. Me, I'd be plurry embarrassed about that.It looks as though she has a concussion. Big whoop--we're wetting

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-21120575167028421622009-03-14T18:48:00.003-07:002009-03-14T18:52:40.509-07:00

Stephen Harper flipped his lid and exposed his inner Steve for all to see this week.The Manning Centre for Warmed-Over Refom Party Ideas gave a little party that was supposed to be private. Only fellationically devoted Conservatives allowed. During the party, the PM himself stepped to the mike to do what exactly?Well, blame everyone but himself:In a speech meant for sympathetic ears only, Prime

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-1123266721219190442009-03-11T09:27:00.004-07:002009-03-12T16:45:50.106-07:00

I went back to the inbox yesterday. Thought it would all be over, that things might have settled down.Not quite.I have previously received mail for other variations of "Metro" such as "M. Etro," "Me_Tro," etc. from such diverse groups as a veterinarian (the type of animal involved is as yet unknown, but goes by the name of "Blinky"), a school board, and the Boy Scouts of America. Who would

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-46578207665060570052009-03-09T11:16:00.004-07:002009-03-09T12:01:03.832-07:00

So I have a gmail account, as some of you may know. And today I went to check it, as, y'know, you do, right?And found myself the inadvertent focus of a love triangle, or so it seems.First off, because the address is fairly common, I get a lot of mail that seems to have been misdirected or mis-addressed to "Metr0" or "met.ro" etc. etc.In this instance, someone named, for arguments' sake, "Johnson"

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-43705671636840649402009-03-07T08:41:00.002-08:002009-03-07T08:45:09.314-08:00

The Roman Catholic Church has the potential to be a force for good. I really believe that. But then their agents go and do stupid $#17 like this.A girl is abused by her stepfather and conceives twins in a uterus that could not contain either.The logical outcome of allowing this pregnancy to proceed is pain and death for the girl, and the death of both kids.Doctors save one of those lives by

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-28802128733543155742009-03-05T09:54:00.003-08:002009-03-05T10:47:32.587-08:00

This week Mme and I took in a wandering, wayfaring stranger from the Katimavik program. Katimavik is a Canadian service-club/youth experience which sends young people in diverse groups all across the nation to serve and grow in experience.We've hosted three of these kids--all about a week prior to Christmas. We often get "the French ones" who have little or no English, as Mme and I together can

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-62933788277883839092009-03-02T12:40:00.003-08:002009-03-02T12:46:45.109-08:00

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the famous Vaudevillians:Gus Visser and his Singing Duck!Actually, due to a recent contract negotiation the Duck gets top billing.But this isn't just a film scrap. From this site I learn that:While, at first glance, just a bizarre oddity of the early sound era, this film clip is of actual historical note. It was made by Theodore Case in 1925 as a proof-of-concept

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-61854421779689867812009-02-25T13:46:00.000-08:002009-02-25T15:48:22.992-08:00

I have, so far as I know, little naval heritage. At least no more so than any other descendant of an island nation. However, I do love the water, and what Ratty referred to as "simply messing about in boats."As a writer, I seek to connect to my passions, and to help others see the beauty in them. And in search of a lead line for what I hope may be a profitable little article, I went to Google the

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-57449669886994223162009-02-24T16:38:00.005-08:002009-02-24T17:04:56.860-08:00

Someone subscribed Metro to the American Family Association and Onenewsnow email newsletters.The AFA is the pearl-clutching, pants-wetting bunch who are terrified that Pepsi is "promoting" teh gay. They're so afraid of the word "gay" that a while back a headline referring to track athlete Tyson Gay was autocorrected to read "Homosexual Eases into 100 Final ..." Onenewsnow (portending some rather

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-47020934602669231462009-02-24T09:30:00.003-08:002009-02-24T13:48:53.261-08:00

From the CBC's "Citizen Bytes" page, an account of a conversation with an Austrian cab-driver in Toronto, entitled "On Being Mistaken ..." well I'll let you read the punchline at the site. Here's a snippet:I proceeded to explore the notion of Toronto being over-run by visible minorities with my Austrian cab driver. "The problem," he maintains, "is that all these immigrants and refugees come from

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-92012389173364422142009-02-18T21:54:00.002-08:002009-02-18T21:58:41.908-08:00

So you're a Prime Minister in a resource-dependant, toruism-heavy country with massive natural beauty. Your people are vaguely concerned about the environment, in a well-intentioned but fuzzy way. Your main constituency, though, regards climate change as a "socialist plot."You vilified your last opponents' green plans as "A tax on everything," and have generally shown the sort of enlightened

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-43705268491995954932009-02-12T14:52:00.003-08:002009-02-12T15:00:49.857-08:00

It's Darwin Day! Old Charlie would have been two hundred years old today. One wonders what he'd be saying were he still alive today.Possibly "Why is it so dark in here?" Or "Why am I in this box?"I was directed to this item via Pharyngula. However, it looks better in its native environment, which is Seed. Make sure to watch it all. The beginning is wondrous, but all the really exciting stuff is

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303821.post-49659764300803842832009-02-10T11:18:00.003-08:002009-02-10T11:31:44.180-08:00

'No aspect of responsible government is more fundamental than having the trust of citizens. Canadians' faith in the institutions and practices of government has been eroded. This new government trusts in the Canadian people, and its goal is that Canadians will once again trust in their government. It is time for accountability.'~Speech from the Throne, 2006The Conservative Party of Canada, in

Metrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338677991161252796noreply@blogger.com5