The day after the landmark CBC program announced the crowning of The Greatest Canadian (congratulations Tommy Douglas!), we also witness the passing of another great Canadian.
R.I.P. Pierre Berton.
FYI, here's the Top 10 finalists from the Greatest Canadian contest.
1 Tommy Douglas
2 Terry Fox
3 Pierre Elliott Trudeau
4 Sir Frederick Banting
5 David Suzuki
6 Lester B. Pearson
7 Don Cherry
8 Sir John A. Macdonald
9 Alexander Graham Bell
10 Wayne Gretzky
Perhaps Berton should have been one of the Top 10 finalists. Certainly would have gotten my vote over Don Cherry or Wayne Gretzky. I was kind of surprised Alexander Graham Bell finished so low. I mean, the inventor of the telephone, pioneer of air flight... not a bad resume.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
Elvis City Limits
Wanna see a sneak preview of Elvis Costello on a recently taped Austin City Limits?
The show will be airing on PBS tomorrow night (November 20), although according to my local PBS station (Toronto sort of shares WNED with Buffalo). it won't air here until the following Saturday night at 12 a.m. Or is that Friday night at 12 a.m.? I'd better check into that so's I can set the VCR properly. For that matter, maybe it airs in your market tonight at 12 a.m.? Better do as they say, and check your local listings if you're innerested.
Rock on EC!
The show will be airing on PBS tomorrow night (November 20), although according to my local PBS station (Toronto sort of shares WNED with Buffalo). it won't air here until the following Saturday night at 12 a.m. Or is that Friday night at 12 a.m.? I'd better check into that so's I can set the VCR properly. For that matter, maybe it airs in your market tonight at 12 a.m.? Better do as they say, and check your local listings if you're innerested.
Rock on EC!
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Cleptomocracy II
See how you feel about electronic voting after you watch this documentary, Votergate (thanks Heather).
It's a 30-minute movie, so be forewarned if you have a dial-up connection. With high speed, it took me about 8 minutes to download it.
Very interesting and disturbing, although I found myself a bit annoyed at their conclusion: If you're worried that your votes aren't being counted accurately, get out and vote? Did these people not watch their own film? That's like saying if you're concerned about automobile safety, get in your car and drive to your closest highway safety office.
And as usual, nobody does it better than the Onion.
It's a 30-minute movie, so be forewarned if you have a dial-up connection. With high speed, it took me about 8 minutes to download it.
Very interesting and disturbing, although I found myself a bit annoyed at their conclusion: If you're worried that your votes aren't being counted accurately, get out and vote? Did these people not watch their own film? That's like saying if you're concerned about automobile safety, get in your car and drive to your closest highway safety office.
And as usual, nobody does it better than the Onion.
But Can It Fly?
Y'know, some musical instruments are just intrinsically funny. Witness the kazoo. Others are not especially funny. Hello, cello.
But I have to giggle like a schoolgirl whenever I see the Mandobird.
But I have to giggle like a schoolgirl whenever I see the Mandobird.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Site Seeing
Been one of those weeks when blogging just seems like a chore I could do without. So I'll take the lazy way out.
So...here.
So...here.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Down For The Count
File under hmmmm.
Does the US electoral system need reforming? I think so. Here's an idea: When the vote for crucial districts is very, very close, and there are more uncounted ballots than the span of the "victory"... count ALL the votes before declaring a winner!
Does the US electoral system need reforming? I think so. Here's an idea: When the vote for crucial districts is very, very close, and there are more uncounted ballots than the span of the "victory"... count ALL the votes before declaring a winner!
Cleptomocracy
Well, that was a bummer of an election, wasn't it. Looks like George and his crew stole another one. Bush's Eleven.
I won't be surprised if in the weeks and months ahead, stories of election fraud and voter suppression start to trickle into the media. That said, I don't think Kerry really managed to get a clear, concise message to America. But of course, it's hard to do that when you're facing the politics of smear and lie. It's easier to tell a simple lie than to communicate a complex truth.
But here's my question: Is the election officially over once one candidate concedes? Or is it officially over only when the Electoral College declares a winner? In other words, if by some miracle the 175,000 or so provisional ballots in Ohio turn out to be valid, and 75%-80% for Kerry (perhaps due to concerted efforts by Republican cronies to destroy Democrat registration forms, as we saw reported in Nevada and elsewhere), Kerry would end up winning the state. Would he then be declared the president-elect, or is it too late for that once he has already conceded? Not that I'm holding out hope of that happening, but I'm curious about the procedure. Is a concession an official act, or just a speech?
Anyway, the next four years look like they'll be a challenging time for progressive-minded Americans. As much as I would like it if my friends in the States decided to throw in the towel and come north, their voices are needed in their home country now more than ever. But for those who do want to head north, here's a way you can help.
I won't be surprised if in the weeks and months ahead, stories of election fraud and voter suppression start to trickle into the media. That said, I don't think Kerry really managed to get a clear, concise message to America. But of course, it's hard to do that when you're facing the politics of smear and lie. It's easier to tell a simple lie than to communicate a complex truth.
But here's my question: Is the election officially over once one candidate concedes? Or is it officially over only when the Electoral College declares a winner? In other words, if by some miracle the 175,000 or so provisional ballots in Ohio turn out to be valid, and 75%-80% for Kerry (perhaps due to concerted efforts by Republican cronies to destroy Democrat registration forms, as we saw reported in Nevada and elsewhere), Kerry would end up winning the state. Would he then be declared the president-elect, or is it too late for that once he has already conceded? Not that I'm holding out hope of that happening, but I'm curious about the procedure. Is a concession an official act, or just a speech?
Anyway, the next four years look like they'll be a challenging time for progressive-minded Americans. As much as I would like it if my friends in the States decided to throw in the towel and come north, their voices are needed in their home country now more than ever. But for those who do want to head north, here's a way you can help.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Gone Till November
I'm Baaaack!
Was Back East since last week. Went home to help the family celebrate my mom's 80th birthday, which was on the 31st. Finally able to attend one of my sister's kick-ass Halloween parties. And it was indeed a fine time for all.
Will write more later.
Was Back East since last week. Went home to help the family celebrate my mom's 80th birthday, which was on the 31st. Finally able to attend one of my sister's kick-ass Halloween parties. And it was indeed a fine time for all.
Will write more later.
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