tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96307212024-03-12T19:46:03.315-04:00More Notes From Underground"Writing will be a sort of work. They say work makes man kind-hearted and honest. Well, here is a chance for me, anyway."
-Fyodor DostoevskyDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.comBlogger1367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-5784872628491442632008-07-12T23:45:00.000-04:002008-07-12T23:47:02.273-04:00Browser Wars<p>[Cross-posted at <a href="http://mnfu.wordpress.com/">mnfu.wordpress.com</a>]</p><p>I’ve been quite happy with Firefox the last while, but now I’m going to give Opera a shot. This post was written on Opera. So far my impression is: similar… but different. Internet Explorer is still in last place.</p>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-53198057931190324542008-07-10T23:32:00.003-04:002008-07-10T23:39:25.498-04:00Moving...This is it I reckon, I'm going to be pulling the trigger on moving this blog over to Wordpress. In the past while I have been using WP and I quite like it. I will continue to cross-post for a while, but this is fair warning to start updating bookmarks and the like. The new address will be <a href="http://mnfu.wordpress.com/">http://mnfu.wordpress.com</a> which is somewhat easier and faster to type I think. Bear with me as I get all the links, widgets, et cetera switched over.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-73435227185887197622008-07-10T07:33:00.004-04:002008-07-10T07:45:45.493-04:00Silent ComplicityThe more we learn about Omar Khadr, the more it becomes apparent just how badly Canada has messed this one up. Now this morning we learn that <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/07/10/harper-khadr.html">our government knew that Khadr was being mistreated but that Stephen Harper isn't going to do anything about it</a>. I guess he wants to look "tough" in front of his Washington pals. Or something. This is the man that came to power on the slogan "stand up for Canada" and yet once again he'll sit on his hands when real courage is required. Even Australia and the UK, often considered the two most steadfast US partners in the war on terror, have brought their citizens home from Guantanamo. Now it's our turn. Bring Khadr home. If the evidence warrants it, give him a fair trial in the Canadian justice system. No torture, no kangaroo courts, no legal limbo, no bullshit.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-65193159945454815872008-07-01T00:52:00.001-04:002008-07-01T00:54:21.862-04:00Happy Canada Day!Take it away, Foster Hewitt:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pBFlMeViLCY&hl=en"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pBFlMeViLCY&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-21334310580139176162008-06-29T12:56:00.002-04:002008-06-29T12:58:09.947-04:00Up Next: bin Laden on the Dilapidation of Lower Manhatten Landmarks?Why would anyone get <a href="http://torontoist.com/2008/06/mike_harris_is_still_pretty_frustrating.php">Mike Harris to write a report</a> on what's wrong with Toronto?Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-5044895773389667332008-06-09T12:05:00.003-04:002008-06-09T12:10:37.183-04:00All Your Content Are Belong to Us<a href="http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3011/196/">Michael Geist links</a> to a Canwest article suggesting that <a href="http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=15613203-dff7-440b-baf4-507fd01637da">consumers may lose digital content</a> they have already paid for under provision in the new copyright bill. It's truly disturbing to see how deep in the pocket of special interests Jim Prentice really is. This bill appears set to give them everything they want.<br /><br />I know the Liberals are backing away from voting down bills these days, I guess reckoning that they can just reverse things when they get into power again, but damn it, they better stop this one!Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-57065074269467378922008-06-08T11:35:00.003-04:002008-06-08T11:41:17.454-04:00Things to not say when you represent OshawaThe CAW is <a href="http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/439378">stepping up its protest in Oshawa</a>. I remain doubtful that they can get GM to change its mind though. On the other hand, if I were Jim Flaherty, I'd be extremely worried about my seat in parliament come the next election. His whole line about not investing in Ontario is really going to hurt him. The GM workers seem to quote it to everyone. Payback's a bitch, Jim.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-19323040414614819012008-06-06T12:13:00.003-04:002008-06-06T12:21:39.439-04:00BuzzKillIt looks like <a href="http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/abc/home/contentposting.aspx?isfa=1&feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V3&showbyline=True&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20080605%2fGM_strike_080606">Buzz Hargrove got nothing</a> from his meeting this morning with Rick Wagoner and the GM brass. I'm not sure what the solution is in a situation like this, I mean fewer people are buying big trucks - and that's a good thing, unless of course, you build big trucks. What stinks here though is the fact that GM seems to have suddenly realized this just <span style="font-style: italic;">two weeks</span> after concluding a contract negotiation with the CAW. It's hard to imagine that GM was bargaining in good faith - and if they honestly had no idea what was happening/going to happen to the truck market in the US given the credit crunch and the evaporation of the new home industry (contractors are one of those groups that legitimately need trucks), then they are business-illiterate.<br /><br />I can see why GM would have to shut down the Oshawa truck plant (and I can only imagine how painful it will be for the workers affected), but as for their recently concluded labour agreement, they must have been lying or stupid.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-76824825570979365492008-06-05T11:27:00.004-04:002008-06-05T11:35:18.854-04:00Making Music Suck<a href="http://www.abandonedstuff.com/2008/06/04/500-per-download/">This post</a> from Saskboy didn't exactly warm my heart. $500/download? Isn't the <a href="http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/2989/125/">legit cost of a song ~$1</a>? What's the logic here? That I've made 500 copies and hidden them somewhere, that I've let at least 500 other people download it? On what basis is such an assumption made?<br /><br />I think someone ought to start asking every MP that supports this kind of legislation about their own iPods and hard drives. Is everything on there legit? Can you prove it? What about your kids, what are they listening to, and more importantly, where did they get it?Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-13550267068631461102008-05-17T07:55:00.003-04:002008-05-17T07:59:39.692-04:00Carbon Tax!If it means a cut in income taxes I wouldn't mind. My car is pretty fuel efficient and the fiancee doesn't drive so we wouldn't likely add a second a vehicle. In other words, I'd probably come out ahead in this game.<br /><br />From a strategic point of view, I think <a href="http://scottdiatribe.gluemeat.com/2008/05/16/no-guts-no-glory-no-risk-no-reward/">Scott is right</a> too, the grits might as well go down fighting. It would certainly toughen up Dion's image if he took a bold policy stance.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-24353048587843500432008-05-17T06:54:00.003-04:002008-05-17T06:56:13.491-04:00Supporting the troops?This is one more thing to put in the "Worst President Ever" file for George W. Bush. <a href="http://bagnewsnotes.typepad.com/bagnews/2008/05/im-sure-smirkys.html">He gave up golfing... to support the troops</a>.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-13348611361985440502008-04-29T09:58:00.002-04:002008-04-29T10:05:41.321-04:00Welcome to the OccupationIt might seem like a relief for Canada's soldiers in Afghanistan that the US Marines are sending a contingent to southern Afghanistan. Except that <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080429.wafghanisland29/BNStory/International/columnists">the Marines have an agenda of their own there</a>:<br /><blockquote>"General Dan McNeill, the U.S. Army officer who currently commands the 40-nation NATO coalition fighting in Afghanistan, said in an interview that he hopes Canada and other nations will adopt U.S.-style tactics and doctrines, including lengthier deployments for soldiers, harder-line opium-poppy-eradication strategies and the use of military forces in reconstruction and humanitarian work."</blockquote> Lengthier deployments? I don't imagine a lot of our soldiers are clamouring for that. And poppy eradication? When are those drug war ideologues in the US military and government going to realize that nothing makes a farmer hate them more than the destruction of his livelihood? If you want to fight the Taliban, try to keep the main thing the main thing.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-79159448354060634362008-04-28T16:07:00.003-04:002008-04-28T16:11:08.444-04:00What happened in Toronto this weekendA nice summation (<a href="http://spacing.ca/wire/2008/04/28/ttc-strike-in-a-nutshell/">HT</a>):<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7IXpibN7Hug&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7IXpibN7Hug&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Bob Kinnear, the union boss, has achieved the unique feat of being hated by his members, the city at large, and every major political party in the province. Way to go, Bob.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-68565696133552759192008-04-25T23:58:00.003-04:002008-04-26T00:01:31.458-04:00Shit.It turns out that <a href="http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/418711">the TTC unions have turned down their deal</a> and will strike as of midnight. Says the Star:<br /><blockquote>"Unionized transit workers were notified by electronic voice mail late Friday evening that they were not to report for their shifts effective at midnight."</blockquote> That should make Monday morning interesting for me if something isn't done.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-56577550983608097012008-04-25T10:52:00.002-04:002008-04-25T10:55:56.661-04:00Robots vs. The HomelessSome frustrated bar owner in Atlanta has <a href="http://technology.sympatico.msn.ca/Robotic+vigilante+hits+street+as+homemade+Bum+Bot+patrols+in+Atlanta/News/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=30691020&feedname=CP-TECHNOLOGY&show=False&number=10&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True">built a remote-controlled robot</a> to chase away homeless people and others he deems troublemakers. If you read the article it turns out he did this after the police told him he couldn't walk around with an assault rifle to protect the dive bar he bought a number of years ago.<br /><br />Question: what did he expect when he bought a dive bar?Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-59819888733656014962008-04-24T22:25:00.002-04:002008-04-24T22:28:21.813-04:00How to kill any recruiting driveSome on the right in the US, in the midst of saying they want to support the troops, are also <a href="http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_04/013597.php">trying to restrict their access to, ahem, adult magazines</a>. Give me a break.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-50643955168824487932008-04-24T10:39:00.003-04:002008-04-24T10:44:04.571-04:00The Rational Perfection of the Free MarketNah, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/417650">it's all testosterone</a>. At least in securities trading they say. So does this mean we have to start testing traders for steroids? I can just imagine all these guys on Bay St. getting needles in their backsides so they can make some hot deals.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-83120372733791026822008-04-22T10:36:00.003-04:002008-04-22T10:48:16.936-04:00Bernier the Bumbling ImperialistAccording to an article in The Toronto Star, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/416915">the Afghans were going to can the governor of Kandahar until Maxime Bernier opened his big mouth</a>. Aside from our general maltreatment of First Nations, Canada has never really chosen to act as an imperial power. If we can't handle this sort of delicate manipulation of the local scene, that's one more reason we shouldn't be wasting blood and treasure in Afghanistan.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-44668184094064782682008-04-21T08:20:00.003-04:002008-04-21T08:32:29.745-04:00Dodging (Transit) BulletsNo TTC strike this morning. Lucky. Yesterday I put slick tires on my old mountain bike to make it a bit more ridable should I need it as a commuter. (An aside: Actually I should have done this some time ago as I just don't do a lot of trail riding. There's really no good reason not to use this bike around town.)<br /><br />Should we make the TTC an essential service? On the plus side for commuters, it would mean no more strikes. That said, binding arbitration is usually more expensive. Yes this could be a good deal for the TTC's workers, but it may mean that we have less money to expand service et cetera. Moreover, I do not know that the TTC is an <span style="font-style: italic;">essential </span>service per se. It's massively inconvenient not to have it, but teacher strikes, garbage worker strikes, and others are also massively inconvenient.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-48515952973191114612008-04-17T10:57:00.003-04:002008-04-17T11:02:37.907-04:00Useless IdiotThis is too funny! I really cannot get over quite <a href="http://scottdiatribe.gluemeat.com/2008/04/16/in-case-you-missed-it-chuck-mcvety-got/">how stupid Charles McVety really is</a>. I mean there are activists who are grandstanding, brash, in-your-face, what have you - and yes they come off as idiots, but they <span style="font-style: italic;">make their point</span>. Every time I've seen McVety try to make a point, he usually actually undermines it. His attempt to engage Richard Dawkins is more embarrassing, but this was still pretty bad.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-58507936601928353092008-04-10T10:51:00.002-04:002008-04-10T10:54:14.393-04:00Attacks up in AfghanistanCan we set aside the nostrum that this means that the insurgency is in its "last throes" and accept that it's <a href="http://icga.blogspot.com/2008/04/rubin-afghanistan-insurgent-attacks-up.html">a bad thing for Afghanistan and for our troops there</a>.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-16625730807383718812008-04-10T10:31:00.003-04:002008-04-10T10:33:00.824-04:00Beijing's Downward SpiralBritish PM Gordon Brown is now saying that he will <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080409.olympics-brown10/BNStory/International">stay away from the opening ceremonies</a>. The reality is that it appears that this event will be a public-relations fiasco for the Chinese government.Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-6167464960755858742008-04-09T10:23:00.003-04:002008-04-09T10:28:48.282-04:00Alternatives to an Olympic Boycott<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ISVkNmCufn4/R_zSl_qRW0I/AAAAAAAAASE/33YbxDQlUXg/s1600-h/TibetFlag.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ISVkNmCufn4/R_zSl_qRW0I/AAAAAAAAASE/33YbxDQlUXg/s200/TibetFlag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187252421009693506" border="0" /></a><br />I have no idea if this would work, but it would absolutely send a message if it did. What if, for the duration of the Olympics, Canada legally changed its flag to incorporate the flag of Tibet (maybe put it in a corner). All our athletes would wear this, every time we won a medal everyone would see it. We could even get other countries in on this. It doesn't punish our athletes like a boycott would either.<br /><br />Just one idea...Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-14558400012526332842008-04-09T10:13:00.003-04:002008-04-09T10:16:40.688-04:00Punish the Victim<a href="http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/04/09/teen-domestic-abuse-victim-jailed-under-material-witness-warrant/">This story</a> is astonishing - a women has been jailed to ensure she testifies against her (allegedly) abusive boyfriend. Compounding the irony, one of the charges against her boyfriend is forcible confinement!Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9630721.post-59746519656032327822008-04-06T15:17:00.002-04:002008-04-06T15:21:44.584-04:00Picking SidesI've sort of been quiet around here for the last little while, I'm wondering whether it's time to pick a side. I like this non-partisan thing, I really do - I never have to justify some stupid thing said by a party official or cringe over one or another aspects of a party's platform that I don't really like. But maybe I'm giving up too easily as well. I get to complain but I don't know if I'm good for much else. More on this to come...Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123028805112944367noreply@blogger.com0