I'm not a super political person but I like to keep an eye on what's happening stay informed.
Now that the Canadian Federal election is over and millions of dollars was spent to basically end up with the same results prior to the election, I can spend a bit more time following the final weeks of the United States campaigns.
I've never been a fan of George W. Bush and I don't have any problems revealing that. He is America's biggest embarrassment in modern day history if not longer. I don't blame the Republican Party for everything and I think Bush was unfortunate to be President during a very troubling period of world history. The point is, he wasn't the man for the job that was placed in front of him.
John McCain is NOT Bush and I believe McCain is the best choice to be the next President. He probably could have made a better choice for a running mate but if Sarah Palin did take on the role of Commander and Chief, she couldn't do any worse than Bush. If you can put aside that choice and look objectively at his credentials, he is the most qualified person and has the backbone to not only lead but protect the people of the U.S. As a neighbour and fellow NATO country, I would feel much safer with McCain in power.
Barack Obama is not the man for the job this time around. I think he could be an excellent President one day but he needs more experience before that happens. As for his running mate, Joe Biden had proven in the past he should think before he speaks.
The most glaring example has to be when he recollected his fellow Americans watched FDR on television during the 1929 stock market crash. Of course the Biden family must have been the only one's in the world with a television at that time.
Oh sure, a few blunders here and there isn't a big deal and to be honest, Biden is a better choice than Palin but what fun is it when you can't make fun of politicians and the people in power. It makes us feel better.
Here is one of my favourite Joe Biden blunders. He really should lean to count.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Remembering Hinterland
If you're Canadian and over the age of 30, chances are at some point growing up you've seen the Hinterland Who's Who commercials on TV from the Canadian Wildlife Service and Environment Canada.
These informative vignettes first appeared in the early 1960's and educated Canadians on nature and the wildlife that inhabits our great nation. They brought native wildlife into living rooms using excellent film footage and simple narration. They became, and remain, an enduring part of Canadian culture.
As a kid, I don't think I appreciated them as much as I do now. Back then I hated school and these informational commercials came off as more teaching in the comfort of my own home. I didn't want to learn anything on "my time".
But now, I enjoy hearing the lonely flute of the background music and the nostalgia of those pieces. They take me back to a simpler time.
They were a great way to learn about nature and the wildlife that resides within our borders. If you'd like to view some of the old and newer videos, click on the link above to visit their website and check out their media gallery.
Here's one I came across online to remind you of the way they used to be.
And here's a spoof that someone put together based on these old public service announcements. It's kind of funny.
These informative vignettes first appeared in the early 1960's and educated Canadians on nature and the wildlife that inhabits our great nation. They brought native wildlife into living rooms using excellent film footage and simple narration. They became, and remain, an enduring part of Canadian culture.
As a kid, I don't think I appreciated them as much as I do now. Back then I hated school and these informational commercials came off as more teaching in the comfort of my own home. I didn't want to learn anything on "my time".
But now, I enjoy hearing the lonely flute of the background music and the nostalgia of those pieces. They take me back to a simpler time.
They were a great way to learn about nature and the wildlife that resides within our borders. If you'd like to view some of the old and newer videos, click on the link above to visit their website and check out their media gallery.
Here's one I came across online to remind you of the way they used to be.
And here's a spoof that someone put together based on these old public service announcements. It's kind of funny.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving Fellow Canucks
I was going to sit here and type out some of the reasons I have to be thankful this holiday but decided I'd spare you of all that crap.Everyone in my family is healthy, as far as I know, and that's about all we can ask for. Actually, a longer summer would be nice.
Suffice to say things could be a lot worse and they can always be better. I'm right there in the middle and meaty part of the "giving thanks" curve.
As long as the turkey is cooked, the potatoes are mashed, the gravy isn't lumpy and the vegetables aren't al dente I'll be happy. If I can push myself away from the table, roll my big butt into the living room to the comfy chair, undo my pants and watch some TV, it will be a great day.
Of course the sad news is I'm working the entire weekend which is good and bad.
Good: because I can always use the hours and the money.
Bad: because it's another long weekend where the weather is great, I could have been golfing and seeing friends and just enjoying life a little.
Oh well, there's always next weekend. My luck; it will probably rain.
Any way, Happy Thanksgiving everyone and don't forget to vote on Tuesday in the Federal Election. As I always say...if you don't vote, you can't complain.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Ah Wunnerful Ah Wunnerful
A recent Saturday Night Live sketch sparked a memory for me that I'm sure many people my age or perhaps a bit older might have experienced.
As a child my parents would load my brother and I into the car almost every weekend and we'd make the short 40 minute trip to my Grandparents house. It was a great place for a kid to have fun getting into mischief. Today they are both gone but the house is still there with new owners and it has been turned into a Bed and Breakfast.
My memories are quite vivid though. It was a rather large house on several acres of land. There was an old barn, a large vegetable garden, an old chicken coup with only the foundation remaining. There was a makeshift swing hanging from a pear tree in the middle of the circular gravel driveway that we used to swing on. The property was littered with large trees and I think some were walnut.
The house sat along Highway 2 and across the road was a small stream where my brother and I would catch speckled trout. My grandfather used to sell dew worms by the dozen to fisherman and he had an old Coca-Cola cooler he'd keep them in. In the evenings we'd place orange paper over the ends of our flashlights and after dark we'd walk around the yard picking worms to be sold.
With such a big garden, the whole family would work in it by planting and harvesting the vegetables. I used to enjoy using the rototiller to chew up the ground. Digging up the potatoes was fun but I can remember getting in trouble when I got a little too close with the pitchfork and speared the odd spud.
Any way, back to what got me to thinking about all of this. On Saturday nights, I believe, after supper my Grandfather had to watch his favourite show. We'd all gather in front of the T.V. and before long we'd hear the unmistakable sounds of The Lawrence Welk Show.
There he'd be with his conductors baton in his hand; wearing an ugly blue 70's suit with an audience full of seniors ready to enjoy some of "their" champagne music. Myron Floren would perform on his accordion, Bobby and Cissy would dance a number or two, the Lennon Sisters would harmonize together, Dick Dale would swing on his saxophone or sing a song and Norma Zimmer's soprano voice never failed.
I'm not going to lie, it wasn't my favourite music or entertainment but it brought the whole family together and certainly left its mark on me.
So what got me to thinking about all of this? Have a look at the video below. Perhaps I have a strange sense of humour but I laughed out loud watching it.
As a child my parents would load my brother and I into the car almost every weekend and we'd make the short 40 minute trip to my Grandparents house. It was a great place for a kid to have fun getting into mischief. Today they are both gone but the house is still there with new owners and it has been turned into a Bed and Breakfast.
My memories are quite vivid though. It was a rather large house on several acres of land. There was an old barn, a large vegetable garden, an old chicken coup with only the foundation remaining. There was a makeshift swing hanging from a pear tree in the middle of the circular gravel driveway that we used to swing on. The property was littered with large trees and I think some were walnut.
The house sat along Highway 2 and across the road was a small stream where my brother and I would catch speckled trout. My grandfather used to sell dew worms by the dozen to fisherman and he had an old Coca-Cola cooler he'd keep them in. In the evenings we'd place orange paper over the ends of our flashlights and after dark we'd walk around the yard picking worms to be sold.
With such a big garden, the whole family would work in it by planting and harvesting the vegetables. I used to enjoy using the rototiller to chew up the ground. Digging up the potatoes was fun but I can remember getting in trouble when I got a little too close with the pitchfork and speared the odd spud.
Any way, back to what got me to thinking about all of this. On Saturday nights, I believe, after supper my Grandfather had to watch his favourite show. We'd all gather in front of the T.V. and before long we'd hear the unmistakable sounds of The Lawrence Welk Show.
There he'd be with his conductors baton in his hand; wearing an ugly blue 70's suit with an audience full of seniors ready to enjoy some of "their" champagne music. Myron Floren would perform on his accordion, Bobby and Cissy would dance a number or two, the Lennon Sisters would harmonize together, Dick Dale would swing on his saxophone or sing a song and Norma Zimmer's soprano voice never failed.
I'm not going to lie, it wasn't my favourite music or entertainment but it brought the whole family together and certainly left its mark on me.
So what got me to thinking about all of this? Have a look at the video below. Perhaps I have a strange sense of humour but I laughed out loud watching it.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
The "Juice" Gets Squeezed
I guess the "real killers" can relax because "The Juice" won't be able to look for them anymore.
It took 13 years to the exact day of his acquittal for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but a jury finally got one right and O.J. Simpson is going to prison.
Simpson was found guilty of all 12 counts in the armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas, Nevada, casino hotel last year.
The jury of nine men and three women, none of them African-American, began deliberations Friday after hearing from 22 witnesses over 12 days of testimony. Chief among the witnesses were seven of the nine people inside Room 1203 of the Palace Station Hotel and Casino for the September 13, 2007 confrontation. Prosecutors alleged that the men, led by Simpson, burst into the room, flashed a gun and threatened the memorabilia dealers.
The men then filled two pillowcases with Simpson trinkets, signed Pete Rose baseballs and Joe Montana lithographs. Simpson's defense attorneys maintained their client was merely trying to retrieve personal photographs and other mementos that belonged to him.
How much time he'll get has yet to be determined as sentencing is scheduled for December 5th. It likely won't be enough though.
Anyone who followed the murder trial in 1995 and felt Simpson should have been found guilty of that crime will no doubt feel some vindication. Sadly, although he most likely did commit those murders, the complete screw-up by the L.A. Police and the racism of one particular officer must have put enough doubt in the minds of the jurors of that trial that they had to acquit him
I know my jaw drops to the floor every time I watch this video.
It took 13 years to the exact day of his acquittal for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but a jury finally got one right and O.J. Simpson is going to prison.
Simpson was found guilty of all 12 counts in the armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas, Nevada, casino hotel last year.
The jury of nine men and three women, none of them African-American, began deliberations Friday after hearing from 22 witnesses over 12 days of testimony. Chief among the witnesses were seven of the nine people inside Room 1203 of the Palace Station Hotel and Casino for the September 13, 2007 confrontation. Prosecutors alleged that the men, led by Simpson, burst into the room, flashed a gun and threatened the memorabilia dealers.
The men then filled two pillowcases with Simpson trinkets, signed Pete Rose baseballs and Joe Montana lithographs. Simpson's defense attorneys maintained their client was merely trying to retrieve personal photographs and other mementos that belonged to him.
How much time he'll get has yet to be determined as sentencing is scheduled for December 5th. It likely won't be enough though.
Anyone who followed the murder trial in 1995 and felt Simpson should have been found guilty of that crime will no doubt feel some vindication. Sadly, although he most likely did commit those murders, the complete screw-up by the L.A. Police and the racism of one particular officer must have put enough doubt in the minds of the jurors of that trial that they had to acquit him
I know my jaw drops to the floor every time I watch this video.
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