Saturday, June 02, 2007
49th Parallel reaches 10,000 hits!
At 6:59 this morning I had my 10,000th visitor from Reston, Virginia. Snooping around on stuff on Allison Stokke, the "gifted" California high school pole vaulter.
I'm intrigued by the drawing on Hayden Panttiere's protest sign
I think she is on the TV show "Heroes".
Friday, June 01, 2007
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
It was 40 years ago today that the Beatles released their seminal album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I was 13 years old. I listened to record (vinyl of course) over and over again. Those were the days.
Who is A-Rod's Mystery Blonde?
According to the New York Post the busty blond gal pal of married Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez is a longtime stripper and Playboy Bunny wannabe who has danced at one of A-Rod's favorite jiggle joints (Scores Las Vegas). Sources said A-Rod regularly dropped by its 25,000-square foot, 500- dancer space regularly - "off-season and during the season" - most recently several weeks ago during a Yankee road trip.
Joslyn Noel Morse, 30, who most recently was an exotic dancer at Scores Las Vegas, has been repeatedly spied with the Yankees' $252 million man in Tampa, Miami, Dallas - and in most recently Toronto. Morse is a corn-fed Catholic-school girl from Iowa who quickly took up the stripping trade after high school.
Not safe for workplaces and children pictures are available here.
Joslyn Noel Morse, 30, who most recently was an exotic dancer at Scores Las Vegas, has been repeatedly spied with the Yankees' $252 million man in Tampa, Miami, Dallas - and in most recently Toronto. Morse is a corn-fed Catholic-school girl from Iowa who quickly took up the stripping trade after high school.
Not safe for workplaces and children pictures are available here.
Kevorkian is Freed
Jack Kevorkian, the retired pathologist dubbed "Dr. Death" for claims that he participated in at least 130 assisted suicides, left prison after eight years Friday still believing people have the right to die.
Kevorkian is to appear in a 60 Minutes segment Sunday, and his attorney Mayer Morganroth said his client planned a news conference Tuesday. Mike Wallace, the correspondent for 60 Minutes, whose airing of a Kevorkian-aided suicide led to the charges and his prison term, met Kevorkian outside with an embrace.
Below is Kevorkian back in 1991 with his suicide machine.
Kevorkian is to appear in a 60 Minutes segment Sunday, and his attorney Mayer Morganroth said his client planned a news conference Tuesday. Mike Wallace, the correspondent for 60 Minutes, whose airing of a Kevorkian-aided suicide led to the charges and his prison term, met Kevorkian outside with an embrace.
Below is Kevorkian back in 1991 with his suicide machine.
Cute Knut is Geting Big
Knut, Berlin Zoo's celebrity polar bear cub, is growing from a cuddly ball of fur into a shaggy, powerful predator who could soon pose a serious threat to his devoted human keeper who has nursed him from birth.
The cub, which still draws some 5,000 fans every day, turns six months on Tuesday and his 28 kg (62 pounds) are starting to show. His snout is longer, his torso chunkier and teeth sharper.
Thomas Doerflein, who for months slept in Knut's enclosure to feed him milk and porridge through the night, still rolls on the ground with the cub in his twice daily shows and lets him bite his fingers. Doerflein thinks he will be able to play with Knut until he is about a year-old, by which time the cub will be 60-80 kg, compared to about 500 kg when he is fully grown.
Above is Knut at birth in December. Below is Knut in March when he was first put on display to the public.
No Change in Handgun Policy
The federal Conservative government has rejected Ontario's call for a ban on handguns. Ontario asked for a handgun ban after yet another gun death in Toronto. Jordan Manners, 15, was shot and killed at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto known for its high crime rate.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day argued that other countries where handguns have been banned have seen the numbers of gun crimes increase. Day's statements, however, don't appear to match with the facts. There was a 16 per cent drop in the number of firearms offences in the United Kingdom in 2006 compared with the previous year, according to figures from Britain's Home Office. Injuries related to gun crimes also fell while fatalities rose slightly.
I do not oppose gun control but I also acknowledge that gun control alone will not solve the problem. The real cause of violence is our urban culture.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day argued that other countries where handguns have been banned have seen the numbers of gun crimes increase. Day's statements, however, don't appear to match with the facts. There was a 16 per cent drop in the number of firearms offences in the United Kingdom in 2006 compared with the previous year, according to figures from Britain's Home Office. Injuries related to gun crimes also fell while fatalities rose slightly.
I do not oppose gun control but I also acknowledge that gun control alone will not solve the problem. The real cause of violence is our urban culture.
Wonder what Heidi Montag paid for her implants
...because Playboy is paying her $1 million to expose them.
Two people I would never expect to be seen together
...Snoop Dogg and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
You know your a redneck...
...when you get pulled over for DUI while for riding a horse.
Culpeper Police, Virginia officers Lonnie Myers and Tim Chilton heard a disturbance near the Depot while they were patrolling the East Davis Street area Thursday around 11:59 p.m. That’s when they noticed Eric Scott Kyff, 39, and Lauren J. Allen, 26, - both Culpeper residents - having an argument.
Jenkins said Kyff and Allen reportedly were drunk and wanted to “travel home several miles by horseback to avoid drinking and driving.” Soon after, Kyff “took off along the railroad tracks," but he didn’t get far before Officer Chilton stopped him.
The allegedly drunken duo were arrested on charges of public intoxication and taken to the Culpeper County Jail while the horses were held across the street in front of the Culpeper County Police Department.
Culpeper Police, Virginia officers Lonnie Myers and Tim Chilton heard a disturbance near the Depot while they were patrolling the East Davis Street area Thursday around 11:59 p.m. That’s when they noticed Eric Scott Kyff, 39, and Lauren J. Allen, 26, - both Culpeper residents - having an argument.
Jenkins said Kyff and Allen reportedly were drunk and wanted to “travel home several miles by horseback to avoid drinking and driving.” Soon after, Kyff “took off along the railroad tracks," but he didn’t get far before Officer Chilton stopped him.
The allegedly drunken duo were arrested on charges of public intoxication and taken to the Culpeper County Jail while the horses were held across the street in front of the Culpeper County Police Department.
Xiang Xiang is dead
Back in January I posted a story about the first captive panda released raised in the wild was not doing to well. Xiang Xiang was found dead in February on snow-covered ground. The Chinese are experimenting with returning captive-bred pandas to the wild in order to increase thier numbers.
In my original post I reported that poor Xiang Xiang had been chased by other pandas, fallen out of a tree to escape and broken his leg. Well it seems he died of serious internal injuries in the left side of his chest and stomach by falling from a high place. Not clear if it was from the same incident or another one. Scratches and other minor injuries caused by other wild pandas were found on his body.
He had undergone three years of training on how to survive in the wild but he lasted less than a year. It leads one to think that this is a cruel experiment that failed. However Chinese officials are ready to try again and say they have learned lessons from the experience.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
I'm seriously thinking about moving to Rome
Scientists have discovered particles of cocaine and marijuana, as well as caffeine and tobacco, in the air of Italy's capital, they said on Thursday. (Yahoo)
The concentration of drugs was heaviest in the air around Rome's Sapienza university, though theNational Research Council's Dr. Angelo Cecinato warned against drawing conclusions about students' recreational habits.
The concentration of drugs was heaviest in the air around Rome's Sapienza university, though theNational Research Council's Dr. Angelo Cecinato warned against drawing conclusions about students' recreational habits.
Jessica Biel even looks good taking out the trash
..though I would have thought she had hired help for that.
Spammer Scum Arrested
A 27-year-old man described as one of the world's most prolific spammers was arrested Wednesday, and federal authorities said computer users across the Web could notice a decrease in the amount of junk e-mail.
Robert Alan Soloway is accused of using networks of compromised "zombie" computers to send out millions upon millions of spam e-mails.
"He's one of the top 10 spammers in the world," said Tim Cranton, a Microsoft Corp. lawyer who is senior director of the company's Worldwide Internet Safety Programs. "He's a huge problem for our customers. This is a very good day."
A federal grand jury last week returned a 35-count indictment against Soloway charging him with mail fraud, wire fraud, e-mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
Soloway used computers infected with malicious code to send out millions of junk e-mails since 2003. The computers are called "zombies" because owners typically have no idea their machines have been infected.
Robert Alan Soloway is accused of using networks of compromised "zombie" computers to send out millions upon millions of spam e-mails.
"He's one of the top 10 spammers in the world," said Tim Cranton, a Microsoft Corp. lawyer who is senior director of the company's Worldwide Internet Safety Programs. "He's a huge problem for our customers. This is a very good day."
A federal grand jury last week returned a 35-count indictment against Soloway charging him with mail fraud, wire fraud, e-mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
Soloway used computers infected with malicious code to send out millions of junk e-mails since 2003. The computers are called "zombies" because owners typically have no idea their machines have been infected.
Don't Spend Money That's not Yours
Sabrina Walker got a $2.5 million check from the state of Minnesota. So she went shopping. She spent $5,500 on jewelry, $3,817 at Best Buy and $2,069 on limousine services. She also bought four cars, two of them after she reported receiving the check.But she was a shrewd swindler, she also bought a $500,000 certificate of deposit, funded two retirement accounts and bought a $500,000 Treasury bond.Walker was once paid $84 by the state for serving as a witness in a court case. Her vendor number was one digit different than the hospital that was supposed to received the funds.
She was charged with theft by swindle and concealing the proceeds of a crime.
This is a blow to the reputation of women drivers
A German woman in Dusseldorf blocked the entrance to a subway station when she mistook it for an underground parking garage entrance. The 52-year-old drove her Volkswagen Beetle across the pavement and into the entrance, where it came to a halt five steps down.Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Anaheim Wins Again
Pahlsson scored with 5:44 left in the game to give the Ducks a 1-0 win and a 2-0 lead in the series. So not only did Pahlsson help shut down Ottawa's big guns but he provides the Ducks with their only offense. Ottawa just can't seem to generate anything against the strong Anaheim defense. The Senators were outshot 30-16 in the game and 62-36 for the series so far.
Let's hope things change when the series switches to Ottawa this Saturday. However,
David Hyde Pierce comes out of the closet
This falls into the "not surprised" category but David Hyde Pierce (Niles on Frasier) has finally acknowledged his sexual orientation...umm he's gay. Read about it here.
Toronto Homicide Rate is Up
The total number of homicides in Toronto so far in 2007 is 27, 14 of them involving guns.
There were 22 homicides by this time last year, eight of them committed with firearms.
In 2005, the year notoriously referred to as the year of the gun in Toronto, 26 had been slain by May 24 with 16 having been shot.
It's beginning to look like a very violent summer in Toronto this year.
There were 22 homicides by this time last year, eight of them committed with firearms.
In 2005, the year notoriously referred to as the year of the gun in Toronto, 26 had been slain by May 24 with 16 having been shot.
It's beginning to look like a very violent summer in Toronto this year.
Stray Rod Nothing New
The gossip website TMZ reports that that this affair is nothing new -- as he was with the SAME blonde in Las Vegas two weekends ago!
Sources in Las Vegas tell that the million-dollar slugger was at super hot nightclub Tryst at the Wynn Hotel on May 13, sitting at a table with his blonde companion. The two were living it up near the 90-foot waterfall, drinking two bottles of Grey Goose vodka.
Alex left the club around 2:00 AM, and sources tell us the two headed over to the Mirage the next day, where he and the blonde participated in a private event at the pool, featuring staff from Bare Lounge.
Sources in Las Vegas tell that the million-dollar slugger was at super hot nightclub Tryst at the Wynn Hotel on May 13, sitting at a table with his blonde companion. The two were living it up near the 90-foot waterfall, drinking two bottles of Grey Goose vodka.
Alex left the club around 2:00 AM, and sources tell us the two headed over to the Mirage the next day, where he and the blonde participated in a private event at the pool, featuring staff from Bare Lounge.
Hogzilla is Hog Wash!
We’ve all seen the picture of the monstrous hog shot by 11-year-old Jamison Stone using only a revolver. Well, now it seems that online “experts” (i.e., shut-ins with altogether too much time on their hands) are setting out to debunk it as a phony. Actually, they can save themselves a lot of time and trouble because the crack investigative team at Stinkyjournalism (“The Real Fake News”) has already put together a “technical analysis” with the help of a retired NYU physicist (again… too much time) that would appear to have conclusively settled the matter.
- NBC Today Show cancels segment on monster pig after flying boy and father to NYC instead of disclosing their role and the hogs to the public
- AP photo fails stink test according to retired NYU physicist, Richard Brandt
- Scientific measurements prove that if the boy is 5 feet 5 inches, as cited, the pig would measure a colossal 15 feet (and not the 9 feet, 4 inches, which was claimed)
- Alternatively, Brandt's report states, the boy would measure a puny 3 feet 9-1/2 inches instead of 5 feet 5 inches, if the beast's length is calculated at 9 feet 4 inches
Gay Bar Refuses to Serve Woman
I think this is an example of reverse discrimination. Audrey Vachon was recently refused service at Le Stud in Montreal's gay village and is filing a human rights complaint. A waiter came over and told her that the bar doesn't serve women.
Vachon said she would be the first to complain if homosexuals were refused service at a business. Bar owner Michel Gadoury says Le Stud has banned women most nights since it was established 11 years ago. He says he doesn't understand the fuss.
The bar, an understated spot in a flamboyant part of the city, has the trappings of a local pub with pool tables and video poker terminals. On many nights it shows gay pornography on TV screens instead of the usual hockey game fare
Vachon said she would be the first to complain if homosexuals were refused service at a business. Bar owner Michel Gadoury says Le Stud has banned women most nights since it was established 11 years ago. He says he doesn't understand the fuss.
The bar, an understated spot in a flamboyant part of the city, has the trappings of a local pub with pool tables and video poker terminals. On many nights it shows gay pornography on TV screens instead of the usual hockey game fare
Allison Stokke's Dad is Not Happy
The dad of Allison Stokke, a 18-year old pole vaulting phenomenon is not happy with all the attention she has been getting. I think he must be referring to post like this.
The Washington Post writes about Stokke:
"The wave of attention has steamrolled Stokke and her family in Newport Beach, Calif. She is recognized -- and stared at -- in coffee shops. She locks her doors and tries not to leave the house alone. Her father, Allan Stokke, comes home from his job as a lawyer and searches the Internet. He reads message boards and tries to pick out potential stalkers."We're keeping a watchful eye," Allan Stokke said. "We have to be smart and deal with it the best we can. It's not something that you can just make go away.""Even if none of it is illegal, it just all feels really demeaning," Allison Stokke said. "I worked so hard for pole vaulting and all this other stuff, and it's almost like that doesn't matter. Nobody sees that. Nobody really sees me."
A-Rod Enjoys the Toronto Scenery
Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez stepped up to the plate with a mysterious, busty blonde in Toronto.The cozy duo dined with two pals at the very pricey Harbour Sixty Steakhouse late Sunday night, then headed to a glitzy strip club before making their way to his hotel, where the pair ducked into an elevator and headed upstairs just after midnight.
Cynthia Rodriguez - A-Rod's wife and mother of their 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Natasha - was nowhere to be seen during the slugger's big night out on the town.
Rodriguez, who was wearing his wedding band, was casually dressed in jeans and a white, short-sleeved T-shirt featuring a large fleur-de-lis on its left arm. His tight-bodied, bleach-blonde gal pal was clad in a snug pair of blue jeans, a shiny, light T-shirt and wedge-heeled shoes.
A witness told The New York Post that Rodriguez and his three companions spent about two hours dining at Harbour Sixty. Rodriguez and the blonde, and possibly the two other men, then were driven in one of Harbour Sixty's cars two miles to the Brass Rail, a flashy strip club located on Yonge Street. The witness saw A-Rod and the woman go into the Brass Rail just after 11 p.m. Home to what one Web site calls, "Toronto's most beautiful all-nude dancers," the Brass Rail is known for its booming sound system, overflowing crowds, overpriced beers and $20 lap dances - a drop in the bucket for Rodriguez, who has a 10-year contract worth $252 million. Rodriguez and the blonde spent an hour or so at the Brass Rail, the witness said.
A witness told The New York Post that Rodriguez and his three companions spent about two hours dining at Harbour Sixty. Rodriguez and the blonde, and possibly the two other men, then were driven in one of Harbour Sixty's cars two miles to the Brass Rail, a flashy strip club located on Yonge Street. The witness saw A-Rod and the woman go into the Brass Rail just after 11 p.m. Home to what one Web site calls, "Toronto's most beautiful all-nude dancers," the Brass Rail is known for its booming sound system, overflowing crowds, overpriced beers and $20 lap dances - a drop in the bucket for Rodriguez, who has a 10-year contract worth $252 million. Rodriguez and the blonde spent an hour or so at the Brass Rail, the witness said.
When they walked out of there, A-Rod and the woman were alone. They then got a cab back to the Four Seasons Hotel (the other Yankees were staying up the street at the Park Hyatt). Their cab pulled up to the hotel minutes after midnight. A-Rod then strode into the hotel behind her. He rubbed his nose as if to obscure his face to other people as he joined her at the elevator bank. As the doors to an elevator opened, he and the blonde got in together, the witness said. The doors then closed, and they disappeared upstairs.
Governator Comes to Toronto
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hit Toronto yesterday to promote stem-cell research, the environment and California food and wine.An Obvious Shoe Fetish
Police recovered more than 1,500 pairs of girls' shoes stolen from all three Waukesha public high schools (in Wisconsin) and Butler Middle School after arresting a man for 17 counts of burglary, Waukesha police Lt. William H. Graham said. "He liked to smell them," Graham said.
According to police:
The man is accused of stealing the shoes on May 20 from girls' lockers at North and South high schools. A security video shows a man entering North High School and leaving the school carrying some items. The video shows him place the items in the trunk of his Dodge Avenger. Police were able to track the man through the registration of his unique vehicle. On May 24, police searched the man's residence and a rented storage unit where the shoes were recovered.
The Alicia Ross murder conviction was not the result of good police work
Now that the trial of Daniel Sylvester has concluded its obvious that the police were lucky on this one. Back in August 2005, police relentlessly pursued Sean Hine, Ross' boyfriend at the time. They had fabricated various motives and scenarios to fit their suspicions - the couple had broken up, they had a fight, etc. None were correct. As far as the police were concerned Hine was the last person to see Ross alive.
Their routine interview of neighbours had raised no other possible suspects. However, if you focus on just one person that tends to happen. No one thought anything of the reclusive, nervous degenerate that lived right next door. As they closed in on Hine, they asked others interviewed including Sylvester to submit to a lie detector test. This is very routine because the test results are used to counter defense claims of alternative suspect theories during a trial. The request to Sylvester likely triggered a panic attack and he showed up two days later with his lawyer to make a full confession.
We will never know now what might have happened if Sylvester had not confessed. However, the books are full of cases of wrongly convicted men who just happened to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Their routine interview of neighbours had raised no other possible suspects. However, if you focus on just one person that tends to happen. No one thought anything of the reclusive, nervous degenerate that lived right next door. As they closed in on Hine, they asked others interviewed including Sylvester to submit to a lie detector test. This is very routine because the test results are used to counter defense claims of alternative suspect theories during a trial. The request to Sylvester likely triggered a panic attack and he showed up two days later with his lawyer to make a full confession.
We will never know now what might have happened if Sylvester had not confessed. However, the books are full of cases of wrongly convicted men who just happened to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Happy to See Bronx Bombers are Duds
Although its depressing to see the Blue Jays totally out of a pennant race by early May - it is more than compensated by seeing the New York Yankees below the Jays in sthe standings.As they say, the bigger they are the harder they fall. So the resounding "splat!" the New York Yankees are making is being heard around the baseball world, and beyond.
And the return of Roger Clemens this week who turns 45 this summer isn't going save this shink ship.
Welcome to big leagues, as the rest of us knows them.
Sylvester Found Guilty of Murder
It took the jury less than 4 hours to decide that Daniel Sylvester was guilty of second degree murder and not manslaughter in the death of Alicia Ross.Daniel Sylvester will have to return to a Newmarket courtroom – the date not yet determined – for Justice Edwin Minden to say how long he must serve before being eligible for parole. By law, his parole ineligibility will be set anywhere between 10 and 25 years.
Any murder case often includes some sad and tragic aspects to it and this case is no exception. Sylvester was a total screw up and misfit who had a history of voyeurism and was a “peeping Tom” from a young teenager right up to the time of his arrest. He is also an admitted “excessive masturbator” and that he became aroused when he watched neighbours have sex through the windows of their homes at his cottage. Ross died fore merely calling him a “fucking loser” which triggered a rage in him that ended with him beating her until she was dead.
What a waste of a life.
New Conservative Attack Ads
The Conservative Party today released its latest round of television and radio advertisements attacking Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion in attempt to shore up low polling numbers. It's interesting that the Conservative again chose to run negative ads instead of ones that laud their accomplishments.
The ad campaign, coupled with a website is seen by observers as a desperate attempt by the Conservative Party, which is flagging in the opinion polls, to shore up support in Alberta and British Columbia.
Attack ads often work, but the frequency and the recurring theme, might prove to be a turnoff.
The ad campaign, coupled with a website is seen by observers as a desperate attempt by the Conservative Party, which is flagging in the opinion polls, to shore up support in Alberta and British Columbia.
Attack ads often work, but the frequency and the recurring theme, might prove to be a turnoff.
Lindsay Lohan Crashes Again
Just days after crashing her Mercedes, being charged with DUI and being caught with cocaine, Lindsay Lohan is out partying and getting wasted again. She then passed out in her friend's car.
Can't say she is a slow learner. She now gets a wasted friend to drive instead of taking the wheel herself.
Pro Gun Control Advocate
French actress French actress Sara Forestier arrives for a gala screening of the film “Chacun son Cinema” at the 60th Cannes Film Festival.
Did Alicia Ross's killer act with intent?
The jury began deliberations in the Daniel Sylvester trial this morning. Did Sylvester intend to kill Alicia Ross? Jurors were told yesterday to use their common sense answering that question during their discussions.
Justice Ted Minden's instructions were, "If you believe Mr. Sylvester's statement to police that he did not intend to kill Alicia Ross, you must find him not guilty of second-degree murder." "Did he react suddenly in the heat of the moment because he lost self-control?" "What lies at the heart of this case is was he acting under provocation?"
But if the jury finds Sylvester, 33, meant to kill Ross during an encounter between their homes in the early morning of Aug. 17, 2005 or that he used force he knew would likely result in her death and acted recklessly, they would then have to determine if Sylvester was provoked into the violent response.
What the jury does not know is that the Crown unsuccessfully asked the provincial court judge who presided over the preliminary hearing last year, to order Mr. Sylvester to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder. The Crown argued there was evidence Ms. Ross may have been a victim of a sexual assault before she was killed. There was no direct evidence to prove this theory and Mr. Sylvester was ordered to stand trial on second-degree murder.
Some of the most damaging evidence came from Dr. Mark Ben-Aron, a respected forensic psychiatrist who testified for the defence after being retained to assess Mr. Sylvester before the trial. He testified that Mr. Sylvester was a "highly dysfunctional" person with took part in peeping activities.
Justice Ted Minden's instructions were, "If you believe Mr. Sylvester's statement to police that he did not intend to kill Alicia Ross, you must find him not guilty of second-degree murder." "Did he react suddenly in the heat of the moment because he lost self-control?" "What lies at the heart of this case is was he acting under provocation?"
But if the jury finds Sylvester, 33, meant to kill Ross during an encounter between their homes in the early morning of Aug. 17, 2005 or that he used force he knew would likely result in her death and acted recklessly, they would then have to determine if Sylvester was provoked into the violent response.
What the jury does not know is that the Crown unsuccessfully asked the provincial court judge who presided over the preliminary hearing last year, to order Mr. Sylvester to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder. The Crown argued there was evidence Ms. Ross may have been a victim of a sexual assault before she was killed. There was no direct evidence to prove this theory and Mr. Sylvester was ordered to stand trial on second-degree murder.
Some of the most damaging evidence came from Dr. Mark Ben-Aron, a respected forensic psychiatrist who testified for the defence after being retained to assess Mr. Sylvester before the trial. He testified that Mr. Sylvester was a "highly dysfunctional" person with took part in peeping activities.
Vaughan to Hire Integrity Commissioner
Great news for Vaughan residents. Vaughan has become the second municipality in the Greater Toronto Area to appoint an integrity commissioner who will have a mandate to investigate the conduct of councillors and make disciplinary recommendations.
Like the Toronto commissioner appointed in July 2004, the mandate of Vaughan's integrity officer – approved by councillors yesterday – is a part-time position with a scope that is limited to council members.
Four of the council's nine members spoke out against the need for an integrity commissioner.
In the end, after tacking on an amendment by Councillor Alan Shefman to review the position in two years, Jackson's motion was carried unanimously, if grudgingly. This was one of the key commitments by Jackson during last year's municipal election.
Toronto's integrity commissioner, David Mullan, a constitutional law professor from Queen's University, has flexed his muscles on several occasions. He called Councillor Maria Augimeri to task for falsely stating in a phone message that a political rival was under police investigation. However, the council failed to support his recommendation for an apology or a reprimand.
Like the Toronto commissioner appointed in July 2004, the mandate of Vaughan's integrity officer – approved by councillors yesterday – is a part-time position with a scope that is limited to council members.
Four of the council's nine members spoke out against the need for an integrity commissioner.
In the end, after tacking on an amendment by Councillor Alan Shefman to review the position in two years, Jackson's motion was carried unanimously, if grudgingly. This was one of the key commitments by Jackson during last year's municipal election.
Toronto's integrity commissioner, David Mullan, a constitutional law professor from Queen's University, has flexed his muscles on several occasions. He called Councillor Maria Augimeri to task for falsely stating in a phone message that a political rival was under police investigation. However, the council failed to support his recommendation for an apology or a reprimand.
The NHL in the USA
Since Gary Bettman jumped over from the NBA to the NHL, his mission has been to make hockey a major sport in the U.S. So far his plan has been a total bust. The NHL has lost almost $2 billion over the past 10 years. Teams that lost money before the lockout are still losing money. Franchises are in markets where they don't belong (Phoenix, Atlanta, Miami, Nashville). About 8 teams are for sale but there are enough rich Canadians around to buy them all up. So last night was the start of the Stanley Cup finals. Of course the games will all be televised in Canada. Afterall, NHL hockey is one of the few profitable programs for the CBC. So I cruised through all the U.S. networks, Fox, NBC, etc. No one is televising the game. I can think of one reason why hockey will never become anything in the US. Here is the reason. This is the roster of the Anaheim Ducks:
This is the roster of the Ottawa Senators:
How many American players do you see out of all those players? Exactly.
This is the roster of the Ottawa Senators:
How many American players do you see out of all those players? Exactly.
Elephant Robs Drivers
An elderly elephant in Eastern India has found a new way to get its food, the Hindustan Times reported. It stands in front of cars forcing them to stop until drivers roll down their windows and get out. In goes its trunk and out go any vegetables or bananas. Then it allows them to go. Otherwise it just stays there.Forest ranger Sirish Mohanty said it hasn’t harmed anybody yet. But it could retaliate if teased. Elephants are protected in India. . . But not drivers, it would seem.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Ducks Take Game 1
In the first matchup of the teams this season, Moen, along with Niedermayer and Samuel Pahlsson, held Ottawa's top line of Aldfredssson, Spezza and Heatley to two assists and handed the Senators their first series-opening loss in these playoffs.
The score was 3-2 and the Ducks had to come back from behind to tie and win the game in the 3rd. Anaheim had a clear edge in play and out shot the Senators 32-20. Although the Ducks has a distinct advantage in scoring chances, they just barely squeaked by.
Cause of all our Gun Violence
I'm not opposed to gun control. I don't see how a proliferation of guns in cities resolves any urban problem. But gun control will not impact significantly on gun violence. Those opposed to gun control are correct - guns (on their own) don't kill people, people kill people.
In the wake the murder last Wednesday of 15-year-old Jordan Manners at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute, the gun control advocates are all revved up again. But even worse are those that jump into the debate and begin to blame everyone and everything for our gun violence problem - neglectful parents, the misguided nanny state, out-of-control teenage hooliganism, our ineffective “wimpy” court system, etc.
I have to admit that Lorne Gunter in the National Post has got it right - its our “urban culture” or to be specific: “…the prevalence of father-absent upbringings in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto, or the glorification of gangsta, drug and gun culture that liberals and social democrats such as Mr. Miller have been loathe to denounce out of a politically correct fear of being called racists.” Political correctness is preventing us from directly dealing with this problem.
Makes me embarrassed to be a liberal.
In the wake the murder last Wednesday of 15-year-old Jordan Manners at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute, the gun control advocates are all revved up again. But even worse are those that jump into the debate and begin to blame everyone and everything for our gun violence problem - neglectful parents, the misguided nanny state, out-of-control teenage hooliganism, our ineffective “wimpy” court system, etc.
I have to admit that Lorne Gunter in the National Post has got it right - its our “urban culture” or to be specific: “…the prevalence of father-absent upbringings in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto, or the glorification of gangsta, drug and gun culture that liberals and social democrats such as Mr. Miller have been loathe to denounce out of a politically correct fear of being called racists.” Political correctness is preventing us from directly dealing with this problem.
Makes me embarrassed to be a liberal.
Are the Teletubbies Gay?
Taking a page out of Jerry Falwell's playbook, Poland's conservative government is taking measures to curb what it sees as homosexual propaganda on TV, taking aim at Tinky Winky and the other Teletubbies.
Poland's rightist government has upset human rights groups and drawn criticism within the
European Union by apparent discrimination against homosexuals.
European Union by apparent discrimination against homosexuals.
I wonder if the Polish have seen Pee Wee Herman?
2 Teens Charged with Murder
Members of the public came forward which directly led to arrests in the shooting death of Jordan Manners who was found in the hallway of C.W. Jefferys on Wednesday and died later that day of a single gunshot wound to the chest. That doesn't always happen in this cases.Two 17-year-olds, who knew the victim and whom police say were probably his friends, were to appear in court Monday on first-degree murder charges. The accused were supposedly at the barbeque this weekend -- it was a fundraiser for the funeral. Police have not yet established a motive.
One teenager was arrested during police raids in the Jane-Finch area on Sunday, and the other handed himself in to police later that day. An undisclosed number of weapons were also seized during the raids but they have not yet been forensically linked to the case.
Skim Milk Straight from the Cow
This is an incredible discovery! Scientists have bred cows that produce skimmed milk and hope to establish herds of the cattle to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers.The milk is also high in omega3 oils, claimed to improve brain power, and contains polyunsaturated fat. The saturated fats found in normal milk are linked to increased risk of heart disease. The cows, which have a particular genetic mutation, were bred from a single female discovered by researchers when they screened milk from millions of cattle in New Zealand.
Here is the best part. Butter from these cows has the extra advantage of being spreadable straight from the fridge, like margarine.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
New Concern Over Soft Drinks
A new study reports that certain soft drinks, including Coke, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Sprite, and Dr. Pepper, might seriously harm your health because of sodium benzoate they contain. According to a report in the U.K. Independent:
A new health scare erupted over soft drinks last night amid evidence they may cause serious cell damage. Research from a British university suggests a common preservative found in drinks such as Fanta and Pepsi Max has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA.
The problem - more usually associated with ageing and alcohol abuse - can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson.This does give some food for thought. I may have to rethink my diet Coke consumption.
Rooftop Sex
If you are going to have sex on the roof in the centre of London, can't you do it with a little passion?
The Law Appears to have Finally Caught up with Lindsay
So the day has come that Lindsay Lohan finally got busted for her underage partying antics. She is an immature and irresponsible young girl with too much time on her hands and too much money in her pocket, the reckless cry for help ended in a drunk car accident that she left the scene of, but forgot to take her cocaine with her only to get arrested at the hospital and now she will be facing possible jail time.
It's incredible how these young and wealth celebrities think they are above the law.
It's incredible how these young and wealth celebrities think they are above the law.
Protecting Toronto School Students
The recent shooting of of Jordan Manners, 15, at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute has created a some parents questioning the level of security at Toronto area schools.
The Toronto District School Board doesn't intend to install metal detectors. Metal detectors aren't foolproof, and students can bypass them by taking different doors.
The Toronto District School Board doesn't intend to install metal detectors. Metal detectors aren't foolproof, and students can bypass them by taking different doors.
C.W. Jefferys is already on a list of Toronto schools scheduled to have security cameras installed. Of the 109 high schools in the Toronto District School Board, 65 have security cameras. However, cameras would not deter these kinds of incidents.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
A UK man went into a long sleep yesterday claiming a world record after staying awake for more than 11 days and nights.
But when Tony Wright, 43, finally regains wakefulness today after catching up on his sleep, he could be in for a cruel awakening. The human guinea pig will discover that he may have given up ten hours too early to claim the crown.
The record that he broke – of 11 days, or 264 hours – was set by Randy Gardner, an American, in 1964 and is recognised in psychiatric textbooks.
But that is 12 hours shorter than the record which used to be included in The Guinness Book of Records before being removed from the book in 1989. It was deleted on the grounds that it could encourage records harmful to health and was unverifiable because of the claims of insomnia sufferers.
The Guinness previous record was for 11½ days, or 276 hours, and was set by Toimi Soini in Hamina, Finland, between February 5 to 15, 1964.
But when Tony Wright, 43, finally regains wakefulness today after catching up on his sleep, he could be in for a cruel awakening. The human guinea pig will discover that he may have given up ten hours too early to claim the crown.
The record that he broke – of 11 days, or 264 hours – was set by Randy Gardner, an American, in 1964 and is recognised in psychiatric textbooks.
But that is 12 hours shorter than the record which used to be included in The Guinness Book of Records before being removed from the book in 1989. It was deleted on the grounds that it could encourage records harmful to health and was unverifiable because of the claims of insomnia sufferers.The Guinness previous record was for 11½ days, or 276 hours, and was set by Toimi Soini in Hamina, Finland, between February 5 to 15, 1964.
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