An interesting week

This week has been an interesting one, from the world of Canadian politics to the spectre of the Net Neutrality debate once again raising its head, there has been a lot that I’ve meant to mention this week.

Unfortunately, between work and the Keystone Theatre workshop, I haven’t had a moment to blog about these things.

Sparked by announcements from the Tory finance minister, the Opposition parties threatened to bring down Stephen Harper’s government in a non-confidence vote, and propose rule via a Coalition government.  Harper’s people immediately began a smear campaign regarding the whole thing, suggesting that the Coalition would not have legitimacy, since they weren’t voted into office, and that since the coalition included the Bloc, that it was tantamount to treason.  Eventually, Harper went to the Governor General, and asked her to Prorogue parliament.  This means that she would end the session.  She agreed, and the Tories got their protection from a non-confidence vote.

This of course is the second time that Harper has avoided a non-confidence vote in parliament.  The first is what sparked our last election.  He doesn’t want to test the confidence of parliament, because he knows he doesn’t have it.  Normally, this means that he doesn’t have a mandate to govern.  If there are enough votes against the party to state that the House of Commons doesn’t have confidence in the government…that government is dissolved.  That’s the way it works.  Its part of the constitution.

So, when Harper suggests that the Opposition parties were not voted into office, and lack a mandate, he’s lying.  He’s the one who lacks a mandate.  His is the party in the minority in the house.  Yes, the Tories hold the most seats, but the opposition parties outnumber them.  That’s what a minority government is.  A government in a minority needs to have the confidence of the house, or they lose their mandate to govern.  Harper needs a refresher course in how the Parliamentary system works.

In other news, Michael Geist noted that Friday Dec. 5 was the deadline for written submissions to the CRTC’s New Media hearings.  And I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed in a couple of organizations.  Geist points out that ACTRA (the Candian film and tv actor’s union) is leading the call for a levy placed on ISP subscribers to “fund the creation of Canadian new media”.  They also call for CANCON rules new media and wants the CRTC to licence new media undertaking, and think that user generated content should be regulated under the Broadcasting Act.

ACTRA is so completely wrong-headed on the issue of new media, that one wonders who is advising them.  I’m not quite sure why they are trying to hinder New Media this way.  I look at some of the success stories on the internet, from The Guild, to Dr. Horrible, to Ask a Ninja, to that guy singing a song on his webcam on youtube, are only possible with no licences.  These things would not have been possible if those making them were required to be licenced and comply with the broadcast act. 

ACTRA should revise this policy and come up with something that can encourage and assist their members in the creation of their own New Media, and help these members to use these creations to market themselves.  And perhaps even make some money from them.

But ACTRA seems to be playing the role of the dinosaur here, rather than looking to the future.

Its quite sad.

God is…hate?

You know, I don’t usually give lunatics like the Westboro Baptist Church “air time”, because seriously, they get enough publicity, which they absolutely don’t deserve.  But today, I cannot help it.   The WBC…those are the happy people behind sites like godhatesfags, godhatescanada and godhatesamerica (no links because they really don’t deserve the linkage).

They’ve been in Canadian news because of their plan to protest the funeral of Tim McLean, the poor guy who was stabbed and beheaded on a Greyhound bus on the way to Winnipeg.  Why are the protesting this funeral?

From CTV.ca:

Although no member of the group ever met McLean, they claim he lived an immoral and godless life, just like all other Canadians.

And my favourite part:

On Friday, [Shirley] Phelps-Roper [ daughter of the founding member of the Westboro Baptist Church] said her group will not be stopped from getting its message out, even if only one member makes it to McLean’s funeral. “Don’t worry. It won’t matter how many people there are. When they get the signs up, they’ll (get) the same raging, screaming response,” Phelps-Roper said.

Of course.  Because the bible is very clear on how much hate is a part of God’s message.  Oh wait.  It isn’t: You must love another as I have loved you (John 15:12).  Its pretty clear that the WBC is only interested in getting publicity for themselves.  Why else would they be calling the media every time they want to stage one of their hateful protests.  If only the media could bring themselves to just say No thank you.  You aren’t worth the ink.” [I realize saying this that it applies to me as well, since I'm writing about them.  But then, its rage that gets me writing on the topic this morning, so perhaps the journalists who give them press have the same reason].

The article ends with:

They have repeatedly called the U.S. a “fag” nation, a phrase Phelps-Roper told CTV.ca applies well to Canada.

If Canada is a “fag” nation…well, the truth is, I’m ok with that.  At least I’m not a screaming, raging psycho who’s trying to traumatize and already traumatized family at their son’s funeral.

Nice try

Former Ontario Premier Mike Harris has apparently co-authored a report (through the Fraser Institute) called “Is Toronto in Decline? Worrying Trends from the Census”.

Mike Harris?!  The guy who hated Toronto so much during his time as premier that he did everything in his power to hobble the city with debt?  This guy gets to author a report that gets media time and treated like an authoritative statement on the topic?

Wow.

ORLY? UDNT SY

ORLANDO, Fla. — A recent survey that found some Florida teens believe drinking a cap of bleach will prevent HIV and a shot of Mountain Dew will stop pregnancy has prompted lawmakers to push for an overhaul of sex education in the state.

http://www.local6.com/news/15773787/detail.html

Dang.

Playmobil Security Checkpoint

I would like to point out what fun the comments for the Playmobile Security Checkpoint set at Amazon.com are:

Thank you Playmobil for allowing me to teach my 5-year old the importance of recognizing what a failing bureaucracy in a ever growing fascist state looks like.

There’s also this little functionality critique:

I was a little disappointed when I first bought this item, because the functionality is limited. My 5 year old son pointed out that the passenger’s shoes cannot be removed. Then, we placed a deadly fingernail file underneath the passenger’s scarf, and neither the detector doorway nor the security wand picked it up.

And some timely political statements:

Now that John McCain has decided that Water Boarding (that terrific technique invented by the Spanish Inquisition) is OK in some circumstances it should be added as an option to this Toy.

And:

While I’m sure your child will love this do we really want to reveal our security secrets to the terrorists? I bet al-Qaeda is training the next generation with this very product. I am saddened to learn that Playmobile hates America.

An entertaining read.

Beat the Crowds!

Today I plan to do something that is both very smart and very stupid.

I am going Christmas Shopping.

The plan is that I will get to the stores as they open this morning.  This is very smart.

The very stupid part comes in the fact that I am doing this at all today.  If I were smart I would have finished this ages ago.

But at least I have a plan! I know exactly what I’m getting for everyone.  Well, almost everyone.  I’ll figure the rest out as I go, I guess.  I gotta get it done today. 

And after I’m done….a nap!

Someone tase him, dude

Stockwell Day thinks that it makes sense that most people who are tasered by police are unarmed.  He also thinks that there’s nothing wrong with this.

Personally, I don’t think that using a weapon that has the potential to kill someone should be used to diffuse a tense situation, which is what seems to be happening lately.  "That guy’s angry and yelling!  Quick, someone taser him before he becomes irate."

Now, let’s be honest.  I’ve fantasized about tasering irate people.  After all, I used to work in a call centre.  But I don’t think that its viable in practise.  Especially not from those who’s job it is to "Serve and Protect".  Isn’t verbally diffusing a situation part of police training?  And if it isn’t…shouldn’t it be?

What planet is he from?

“As far as the Conservatives are concerned, the next election will be in October 2009,” Baran said. “So if there is an election sooner, it will be entirely driven by the opposition. The Prime Minister has said time and time again that he has a mandate to govern, he intends to keep governing, and that the government is staying its course.”

I’m not quite sure what planet Stephen Harper think he lives on.  It can’t be planet earth.  Last time I looked, we had a Minority Goverment.  Which means that the Conservatives don’t have a majority of seats in the House of Commons.  That’s not a mandate.  A mandate would be if his government had a majority of the seats.

I’m starting to think that Harper is thinking that if he just acts like he has a Majority government, people will forget that he doesn’t.

“Unlimited” Bandwidth

Via Michael Geist: Bell Canada has a new “Unlimited” Bandwidth plan for wireless.

The Catch is (naturally) in the fine print:

You shall not use or allow others to use the Service or your Device if such use:

So, there’s a limit on the “unlimited bandwidth” but they won’t say what it is (save that its at their discretion). And you can’t use VOiP (unless they are the provider - sorry, no Skype).

Shoulda…but didn’t…

Short update.

I am tired. 

I am torn as to what I should do after work.  Part of me thinks a night at home, and some sleep would be good. But then, I tell myself that I should see a Fringe show or two.

In other news, I think I made an incorrect purchase.  Shortly before Rehearsals for Mackers started, I wanted to get into better shape, so I made a purchase.  I purchased roller blades.  Why did I do this…I’m not sure.  I haven’t been on blades in a long time, and I’m unsteady on them.  Being unsteady, it would be irresponsible of me to be using them while rehearsing or performing a show…in case of any falls.  So, the blades have been languishing unused.  Now, I think I should have purchased a bike. There’s less danger of falling, I think.

Ah well, too late now.