Simon's Cat in 'Hidden Treasure'

What lurks under your fridge?

Black bear on Hwy 37

Saw this young black bear on Highway 37, It either just got booted from mom or lost it's mom. I suspect people having being feeding it. this is a bad idea which lead to having the bear hurt someone and getting killed. If it can find enough food then it stands a chance to survive the winter. Actually hanging out near the road might be a smart survival move as the road will keep the bigger bears away and it can avoid bear on bear conflicts. On this 3 day trip, saw 3 Grizzlies and 12 black bear.

Here is one of the Grizzlies

why I am voting Yes

The HST referendum is upon us, I will vote Yes to extinguish the HST. I have heard arguments on both sides, some businesses do benefit from less paperwork with the HST, but many people shoulder a greater tax burden because of it and I see that extra tax every day.(Not to mention the recent carbon tax increase and the proposed Evergreen line levy)

Yet that is not the main reason I am voting to rid us of the tax. For me it was the way the tax was imposed on us after promises it would not and the way it was sold, which was downright dishonest. The Government need to punished for that breech of trust. A vote to extinguish the HST will be a clear message; "You govern on our sufferance". Governments by their nature quickly become arrogant and the government under Gordon Campbell was more arrogant than normal and much of that attitude and the players still remain.

If the referendum is successful we will return to the GST/PST tax which was far from perfect, however there will be nothing stopping government from improving it and even proposing a new HST. I am not against that, but do it properly, be open, debate, be prepared to go to the polls on it. Had they done the HST honestly we would not be doing this referendum right now. This is a lesson the government needs to learn, a vote to support the HST is a vote in support of dishonest government and will tell them there is is no consequence for lying to the public.
The government is feeling the pressure though, promising to lower the HST to 10% from 12%. Lets be real, if it was not for the referendum, the HST would remain at 12% and we would be stuck paying more in tax. So I ask, if the government can afford a 10% HST, why then did they original try to ram a 12% HST down our throats? Where do these tax numbers come from? political whim or true costs?

Boogie Song "Caledonia"

Some kids just make you feel inadequate. His name is Frank Sugar Chile Robinson Another video of him here and when he is older.

Aftermath

Social media that likely played a part in encouraging the rioters,  is showing them it is a double edge sword. The public is now using Facebook and blogs to out the rioters. You can bet there is some frantic erasing of Facebook pages going on, however that which is posted is never really gone and will come back to haunt them. Already people have lost their jobs and another has lost sponsorship. I could blame it all on a generation which grew up with an expectation of entitlement and lack of consequence, but to be fair there has been riots in our city's past and will likely be more in the future.

What I do like is that people are taking it onto themselves to help correct the wrongs. First was the people who stood up for what's right during the riot, this takes a lot of guts and likely was a spur of the moment thing. But says a lot about their character and understanding what is right and wrong.
The second group are the people who came out the next day to help clean up  the mess and help the businesses. It speaks well of their sense of citizenship.

The third group has a finer line to walk. they are busy outing those responsible. This requires a sense of justice and sense of responsibility not to tar those they can't be sure where responsible. One such sight is this.

I can't not abide or support those who harass the families of those involved. Yes some of the parents failed, but others had done their best to raise their kids and it was the young adults that made the choices they must live with. focus your anger on those who caused the mayhem, but always temper it. It's likely that few will be successfully charged in regards to the riots, but the burden of proof in a civil court is much less and far more likely to be successful.

Behind the scenes the knives are out, seem blogger alexgtsakumis.com is taking aim at the leadership of Vancouver for bungling the riot. Also reports that their budget had been reduced will not help. I am not sure if the Olympic parties had lulled City Hall into a false belief that all would be fine, despite warnings of what was likely to come. The political nastiness is far from over and these decisions will come back to haunt the current administration at the next election.

Excellent Tango

Some excellent work there, the toe lift is well done.

Time to turn the Page

It would seem that students from the University of Ottawa are incapable of grasping the ethics involved in being part of the government system that supports Parliament. The current system is quite unfair and excludes anyone who is not a university student.

I suggest that we open the job up to disabled Vets, I have no doubt they will value the ethics of a democracy far more than a wet behind the ears student. Also the constant reminder to the politicians in the house of the price average citizens pay for government decisions would cause then to reflect carefully on their choices.

Seems even Jack Layton did not approve of the stunt either.

Ban the Hammer!!!

More awesome stupidity from down under. During the trial of some bad guys who killed someone with a hammer, the judge suggested that the government look at laws regarding the carrying of hammers. In other words restricting the times you can carry them and who can carry them. now my knowledge of Australian law is not strong, but I suspect heavily that it is very similar to our. In which case the use and intent to use the hammer (or any object) makes it a weapon.

No doubt the next step is to set up a hammer registry, police will stop and question anyone seen carrying a hammer. Soon carpenters will be reluctant to advertise in public in case the police raid them. hardware shops will be required to keep the hammers under lock and key. Only people demonstrating a "need" will be allowed to buy a hammer. Since none of this will actually solve the violence issue, the next step is create classes of hammers, some hammers would be prohibited in particular sledge hammers with long handles, who really needs one of these anyways?

Worker going to a site would be required to keep their hammers stored in hard to break in locked cases. They would only be allowed to take them out of the case at an approved worksite. Meanwhile kids drawing hammers at school or pretending to use them will be chastised or expelled. Thieves would realize that hammers have value and status. they would smuggle in hammers and carry them in their waistbands.

On the bright side, there will be a whole lot less wannabe weekend carpenters walking around with sore thumbs!

The death Rae

The Liberals (or the mortal remains) are still not quite dead, but we have hope! They have appointed Bob Rae to lead them out (more likely further in) of the darkness. Bob Rae had been the Premier of Ontario where his legacy is that of "Rae days" The hatred I hear many Ontarions voices when they speak of those times is still quite strong and vibrant, from both left and right.
On top of his baggage he also was a hardcore NDP type and one has to wonder if he is a agent of the Laytonites with a mission to destroy the Liberals in order that there will be no threat from other left wing parties to challenge the new postion of the NDP as the "Loyal opposition". Sounds tinfoilish but Socialists for all their fault are good at taking the long view on achieving their objectives.

Here is my suggestion to the Young Liberals on how to save your party. Invite all of the old guard to a convention, once they are inside throw all of their policy documents inside, bolt the doors and burn the place down. About the only one I would keep around to provide wise counsel is Bill Graham. Only then can you actually stand a chance at building a party that's not contaminated with the "natural governing party of Canada" crap. Plus throw out stupid policies like the gun registry and banning guns, stuff like that is a millstone around your necks. You have about 10 years to get the job done, study everything about the early days of the Reform Party learn from them, build your base around real issues that people will support thick and thin. I also suggest you change the name a bit to something like the "New Liberals"

the faithful gather

"The Chalice"

Update, well that was a nail biter, I suspect this series will be about which team makes the first mistake rather than which is better. I will predict that the playoffs goes the full 7 games.

 The faithful gather tonite, to cheer their disciples along, the most devoted (and rich) trundle to the temple, while the lesser ones huddle around their TV's or big screens in the pubs. To be fair the Canucks have rewarded their faithful with some good games and now are neck and neck with the Boston Bruins to decide the fate of the Stanly cup. I dare not predict what happens, but the Canucks fans are out in force today wearing many generations of Canuck Jerseys. As I left downtown today the crowds and excitement were building. I hope they win if not for the sake of the Canucks, but for the sake of the fans who having been devoted through thick and thin. Bit more on the game times here. 

The Bruins do have a sense of humour judging by their ads.