Maybe we’re all hookers

It seems only fair that the women who went to bed with Tiger Woods should make some money off the adventure. At least that’s what Vanity Fair magazine seems to think. It gathered up the hookers, dressed them up in pretty clothes (or not) and took their pictures for the current issue of the magazine. Why “hookers”? Well it seems they had a price for Tiger and now they have a price for Vanity Fair. Like the old line goes … “I already know what you are; now I’m negotiating the price.” It’s a sad commentary on our pop culture when trash is what sells. Or maybe it's a trash culture.  Doesn’t surprise me though … I read a story earlier today where two young guys got in a fight … one pulls a knife, stabs the other and the kid who was stabbed dies. All while other kids watch. Don’t want to get involved is the message. Either that or it’s all about me. Quite honestly, the human race is becoming more disappointing every day. Or maybe we’re all hookers.

Time for rent control legislation?

Canada is in a significant housing crunch and St. John’s is definitely no exception to that. The Conference Board of Canada released a report today entitled Building from the Ground Up which says, "there is an appreciable shortage of good-quality, affordable housing in Canada. Consequently, approximately 25 per cent of Canadians rely on housing subsidies or experience periods where they spend over 30 per cent of their before-tax household income on housing.” The report goes on to say, “20 per cent of Canadians can only keep a roof over their heads by cutting costs in ways that could harm their health — such as buying less nutritious food.” When you look at the rental market in St. John’s, it’s not hard to understand. A decent, 2-bedroom basement apartment (about all that is available) is in the $800 range and from my experience, they are small. A main floor can set you back up to $1300 a month. I remember talking to a rental agent for Northern Properties a few months ago she told me that out of 1400 apartments under their control, only two were available for rental. Some landlords won’t even accept rental subsidies from the provincial social services. It’s pretty bad when you have to decide whether to feed your kids nutritious food or get a decent apartment. Maybe it’s time for the PCs to consider rent control legislation.

Charges dropped against Rick Babstock

If there is one man in this province who has a right to be pissed off today, his name is Rick Babstock. The Telegram has reported the well-known St. John’s hockey coach had charges withdrawn against him today. He was arrested February 9 and charged with indecent assault and gross indecency. His name has been dragged through the mud, he has had to suffer the consequences of being wrongly charged. Crown prosecutor Donovan Molloy said, “After a very careful and detailed analysis by my office, we feel there is not a reasonable prospect of a conviction … there is insufficient evidence.” So much for careful and detailed analysis.  Why did the RNC charge him?  Due diligence? Babstock’s lawyer Bob Simmonds said it very well, “When your picture is pictured on the front page of the paper, you’re brought into court at 4:20 in the afternoon, you’re arrested out of your workplace and you’re charged with historic sexual assaults, ask yourself what you think this has done to his reputation.” Rick Babstock deserves an apology from the police and from the justice system in this province. He also deserves considerable compensation for the damage to his reputation. Let those who are responsible for this travesty pay the price.

Bloggers and mainstream media

Do bloggers have to obey the same rules as the mainstream media? When it comes to a judge’s decision to impose a publication ban, the answer is yes. Case in point: former Newfoundland woman allegedly kidnapped in New Brunswick. When the accused was charged, the judge imposed a publication ban on the woman’s name and anything that might identify her … strange, because her name and face had been all over the media (social & mainstream) while the search went on. Bloggers, Tweeters, Facebookers and others all published her name and picture in the hope of helping her be found. Brian Cormier, a Moncton-based blogger said he found out about the ban from a CBC reporter. He removed the information from his blog right away. One has to wonder about the reasons for the ban in this case. Generally, they’re used to protect the alleged victim’s identity but in this case, the family did all they could to publicize her identity to help in finding her. Perhaps the judge will explain it at some point.

It is time to tell the truth

The roman catholic church is facing one of its gravest crises of modern times as sex abuse scandals move ever closer to the current pope Joseph Ratzinger. Ratzinger appears to have taken a much harder stance on sex abuse than the Polish pope Wojtyła when he took over the papacy five years ago, disciplining a senior cleric and defrocking others under a new policy of zero tolerance. But the impression remains of an incredibly slowfooted church and of a pope who bears responsibility for allowing pedophile priests to keep their parishes and now, of a cover up at the highest levels of the catholic church. In an editorial Friday March 26, 2010, the National Catholic Reporter in the United States called on Ratzinger to answer questions about his role 'in the mismanagement' of sex abuse cases, not only in the current crisis but during his tenure in the 1980s as archbishop of Munich and then as head of the Vatican's doctrinal and disciplinary office. “It is time, past time really, for direct answers to difficult questions. It is time to tell the truth.” (NCR)

Speed limits in St. John’s are a joke

St. John’s drivers. Why is everyone in such a hurry? Prince Phillip Parkway onto Columbus Drive seems to be the Indy 500 for most people. If you’re driving the speed limit or slightly below like I usually do, it sometimes seems like you’re standing still. Same with people coming up to a red light. Full bore until they get there and then they jam on the brakes. I often watch people coming up behind me when I’m stopped at a light and often seriously wonder if they are going to stop. The RNC needs to set up some speed traps around the city and that will help for awhile at least. I think I’ve seen one police car, doing what looked like speed checking in the last 5 or 6 months. Why slow down when it appears that no one is watching and/or no one cares? The ones I love are those with the big “Novice Driver” sign in the back window passing you on Columbus Drive so they can get to the red light first. Makes me think that speed limits in St. John’s are a joke that no one obeys.

The learning continues

Reading food labels can be an enlightening experience. My last post concerned a burger at Mickey D’s … this time, tonight’s supper was a McCain’s pizza (rising crust deluxe – about 12”). The nutritional information is broken up according to one sixth of a piece of pizza. I had half of the pizza, so I multiplied by 3 and here’s what I ingested: calories, 990; fat, 36g or 54% of the recommended daily allowance; cholesterol, 180mg; sodium (read salt) 2580 mg or 648% of the rda; sugar, 12g and so on. Hard for me to get my head around how much salt there is in this stuff – unbelievable. Certainly creates an awareness. Last night’s supper was loose hamburger, onions, fresh tomatoes and some spices with bread. I bet the salt content was waaaaay lower. The learning continues.

My last trip to McDonalds?

Most of the fast food joints seem to have coupon sales on at the moment … flyers coming in the mail quite regularly. McDonald’s is one of those. They offer some two for one specials. I like the quarter pounder with cheese (without pickles) so decided to get supper one day last week. Used the coupon, so I got two instead of one, with a small diet coke. It wasn’t until I was chomping through the second one that I got around to reading the nutrition label on the package. Wow! Those two burgers packed 1070 calories. Contained 86% of my daily fat limit. Had a mind blowing 2260mg of sodium. The diet coke alone had 40mg of sodium and here I thought it was mostly flavoured water! I’m not particularly fond of french fries and that’s about the only saving factor there – I didn’t have fries. Can you imagine someone who eats this on a regular basis? Think back to Morgan Spurlock and his movie Supersize Me from six years ago. What may be my last trip to McDonalds last week was an eye opener for me.

Anne Coulter: go home now

The best news yesterday was that several hundred students at the University of Ottawa forced the American fear monger, Anne Coulter, to cancel a speech at the university. Many are hoping the same thing will happen tonight when Coulter is scheduled to speak at the University of Calgary. This woman does not deserve a stage in Canada, especially when she takes on religious groups, such as Muslims, calls them all terrorists and insults a Muslim woman who has the temerity to challenge Coulter in a public place. Coulter is one of those people who should be on a Canadian no-fly list and barred entry to the country. The irony of all of this is that Coulter is threatening to file a human rights complaint against the University of Ottawa while she puts down visible minorities and others who disagree with her. The sooner she takes her brand of hatred back to the USA will be none too soon.  Check out John Meaney's great cartoon here.

Justice for all?

The story in today’s online Telegram makes you wonder … “Man arrested for assaulting teenager with baseball bat after rocks thrown at residence”. The story goes on to say a 37-year-old man was arrested for assault with a weapon after a teenager was hit with a baseball bat on Brophy Place in St. John’s Monday afternoon. The man is alleged to have been responding to teens throwing rocks at his residence. He also faces charges of assault and uttering threats. Just wonder if the kids throwing the rocks are facing any charges?

A great week of golf

We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the Masters! The 2010 Masters is scheduled for April 5-11 at the Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia. For many, Augusta is the highlight of the golf circuit and this year is no exception. Here are the top five favourites to come away with the 2010 Green Jacket: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Paddy Harrington and Steve Stricker. Of course, most attention will be on Woods, simply because he is the top golfer in the world. He’s been practicing with his long time coach but that doesn’t mean he’s a shoe-in. Keep an eye on Stricker, who won the Northern Trust open in the beginning of February. Stricker is currently at the top of the leader board with a scoring average of 68.3 per 18 holes and has been hitting the fairway 68.4% of the time in 2010. It will be a great week of golf!

There is promise of warmth!

Welcome to spring! Still pretty chilly around here for spring with only two degrees on the outside at the moment, but who’s complaining? The snow is nearly gone and there is promise of warmth!

James Cowan has an interesting article in Canadian Business Online about how major brand names are disappearing from store shelves as the big companies produce their own. You’ll remember when Dave Nichol launched the “No Name” brand at Loblaws. It’s taken off since then. All the big chains are getting into the act. I recommend reading article.

Nicole Bliman has another interesting piece on CNN. Reboot founder Dan Rollman is asking people to put aside technology for one day in the week and spend more time with their higher power. Composed of Internet entrepreneurs, creators of award-winning television shows, community organizers and nonprofit leaders, these "Rebooters" are people who typically have their cell phones glued to their palms. Several of them go so far as to say they have an addiction to their devices. You can read more about the Sabbath Manifesto here.  (I've also posted it without detail lower down in the frame to the right)

The issue is personal responsibility

While the furore continues over the Newfoundland doctors’ negotiations with government, I want to tackle another topic. The issue is personal responsibility. On March 13, two Alberta snowmobilers were killed and 31 others were injured after a massive avalanche swept through a group of 200 spectators watching an unofficial snowmobile event called the Big Iron Shootout near Revelstoke, B.C. Avalanche warnings had been posted in the area but the people who were there chose to ignore the warnings and go ahead with their event which featured the sleds trying to get as far up a mountain as they could, despite the fact that they risked setting off an avalanche. The incident is the subject of a police investigation, which could result in criminal charges. I realize that people are mourning the loss of their loved ones, but let’s call a spade a spade on this one. It was their own damned fault.

Mr. Premier: Get your butt back to the negotiating table

I’ve lost some respect for Danny Williams. I’ve been quick to praise Williams in the past and defended his decision not to speak in advance about his heart surgery … now I’m wondering if he also didn’t have a brain transplant while he was in Florida. His decision (and you know it was his decision) to stop contract negotiations with the province's doctors is pure political theatre. He thinks he has the doctors on the ropes because of the pathology labs situation and can pretty much get away with whatever he wants. So he pulls the plug on the doctors, waves around a report on the Eastern Health labs and talks about fat cat doctors earning $300k or more a year. He’s underestimating the critical role that our doctors play in our lives and how much they do for which they do not get paid. He’s also underestimating how much support they have among the population at large. Remember 2002 when the doctors walked off the job? Gee Danny MILLIONS (speaking of fat cats) you might have to go back to Florida for your check-up, but I suppose you’ve planned that already. Maybe you should put Kennedy in charge while you’re away … shouldn’t take him more than a couple of days to destroy the credibility you’ve established for this province. Stop the political theatre Mr. Premier and get your butt back to the negotiating table.

Determined to become the world's fattest woman

There’s a 42-year old woman in New Jersey whose goal is to weigh ONE THOUSAND POUNDS. No typo there. Donna Simpson is currently at 600 pounds and she wants to top out at 1000 pounds. She is determined to become the world's fattest woman. As you read the story in the Daily Mail from England, you realize just how sick this woman is – in so many ways – physically, emotionally, psychologically. You might expect her long-term partner to advise her to slim down, but instead he encourages her to eat more. He met Donna on a dating site for plus-size people and is a self-confessed fat admirer, although he himself only weighs 150lbs. 'I think he'd like it if I was bigger,' said Donna. Knowing all the damage the excess weight can do to her body doesn’t seem to phase her – she just keeps stuffing herself with high calorie junk. She’s got two kids … how sorry you have to feel for them, knowing their Mom probably won't be there for them in a few years. Can’t help but think of Mommie Dearest.  Ms. Simpson needs help.

Time for Miss Vickie to go back to the nickel belt

If you didn’t know better, you’d have good reason to believe that Eastern Health in Newfoundland is self-imploding. Senior doctors are resigning their positions with Eastern Health management faster than most people can keep count. It’s mostly due to the loutish behaviour being displayed by the President & CEO, the gal from Sudbury, Ontario, Vickie Kaminski. Her lack of management skill has brought the hospital authority to where it is now. Her obvious lack of follow-up on the Cameron Report and serious ass-protecting have created the present crisis, regardless of what may have happened in the labs. If Kaminski had been doing her job, these problems would have been spotted long before they became problems; now, she’s trying to create as many distractions as possible so people won’t blame her. Time for Miss Vickie to go back to the nickel belt.

Williams most popular premier in the country

The headline in today's St. John’s Telegram says it all: Williams most popular premier in the country.  It has to be comforting news for Premier Danny Williams, who today returned to work from recuperation after heart surgery. Lots of naysayers tried to make a big deal out of the fact that Williams went to the USA for his surgery but these numbers show the impact of the naysayers is minimal at best and perhaps not even that.  To Canada’s most popular premier, we say Welcome back Danny. Glad you’re feeling better.

Persecuted Palestinians

One has to wonder how long the world will allow the Israelis to persecute the Palestinians. The 62 years since Israeli independence have been marked by conflict with neighbouring Arab states and the Palestinian-Arabs. The Palestinians are effectively imprisoned in the Gaza and the West Bank. Just this past week the Israeli announcement of construction of 1600 more housing units for Jews in East Jerusalem caused uproar, especially as the announcement was made during a visit by American Vice-President Biden. American officials said they considered it an insult. Would it have been better to wait until Biden was safely back in Washington? For too long, American support has meant that the Israelis can act with impunity while their Palestinian neighbours suffer. It’s time for that to stop.

They don’t realize how irrelevant they have become

The catholic church once was important to me. Not any longer. The scandals that have wracked the church for the last 20-years plus the questionable sincerity of the sudden contrition on the part of church leaders have led me to become a non-practicing catholic. The recent revelations concerning the current pope, Joseph Ratzinger and what appears to have happened during his reign as archbishop in Germany just adds more to the mess. There are a bunch of old men in lace in Rome and elsewhere who still see themselves as being the ultimate authority in the catholic church. They don’t realize how irrelevant they have become.