Author: Rick Barnes

What have unions done for people? Its something we often forget.  Many of us don’t remember the days when vacations were unpaid, sick leave was unpaid, weekends were for working, 40 hour weeks were a short work week.

Fortunately there is a good list here to remind us…

Let’s get one thing straight…
"…Employers and Corporations did not feel generous and decide to give you two days off

Time to allow teachers to do their job and protect all students In Canada and the USA.

 More on Publicly funded Catholic Schools in Ontario soon, where they have banned GSA’s and rainbows.

FCKH8.com: The "Teachers Can’t Talk About Homos" Law from FCKH8.com on Vimeo.

This one is for Bruce.

Read more: 
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/06/19/116085/catholic-diocese-challenges-award.html#ixzz1PomwvMtK

This crosses the borders of decency. It is more abuse on the man that as a boy suffered many sexual assaults at t…

Charlie Angus and Andrew Cash sing, discuss today’s music and copyright law.  The Harper conservatives are soon to introduce copyright law that would make many people criminals if they share their music.  Angus tells SunTV reporter David Akin, "I never met a band that wants to jail their fans."
Angus is the longtime NDP MP from Timmins – JamesBay and Andrew Cash is the new MP for Toronto

I wish I were in Vancouver for the NDP’s convention.  Too bad I have too work at a regular job!  The next best thing to being in Vancouver is the internet and my cell phone with a plan including free long distance. 

The mood is exciting.  The mood is heading forward.  The mood is about what could be possible in just four more years.  The NDP plan to go for it. &n…

The NDP caught the federal Conservative government off guard yesterday.  They did not know who should answer the question put to them by NDP MP Dany Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord)

M. Dany Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, NPD): 
Monsieur le Président, …

I came across this post tonight while I avoided the Vancouver Canucks Boston tea party.  I like Starbucks and the anti – big corporist in me always chastises me as I cross the threshold of one of their many many stores.  I admit I love their cofeee a…

I came across an article posted by my fab faerie brother Issac on Facebook.  The article was on the Residential Schools.

My Great Grandmother, Gertrude Pinchbeck suffered under this colonial imprisonment.  That is what it was.  Take kids away from …

Canada is one of the world’s biggest exporters of Asbestos, even though its is severely limited in its use here at home due to health concerns.  We are in some dubious company in trying to keep asbestos off the world’s banned list – Russia, Iran, …

Canadian Federal Political resources on Twitter: Looking for hashtag or twitter account for an MP, check out this page here compiled by David Akin.  You can find it on his blog, On the Hill.  The list includes organizations, media, political parties …

‘We can get things done’, Joe Comartin justice critic, for the NDP

That’s the way to do stuff.  Comartin is a lawyer and has been on this issue for a while.  The issue is mega trials, involving 10, 15, 20 or more accused, usually bikers, or

Today I am here.  The title of this sounds a little like some cheap gay porn.  It’s not, Steven and Bruce both enjoyed a smart cocktail and would have enjoyed the others company.

Steven’s passing nine years ago seems a little harder on me this year,…

The main stream media seem hell bent to protect the environs of the Senate. Their attack on Senate Page Brigette DePape has been relentless. And I have to say I am disappointed in the reaction of the NDP, Liberals and Elizabeth May.

All three oppo…

How many of us live with regrets?  I expect most of us do.  Bronnie Ware was a palliative care nurse for many years who has compiled a list of the top five regrets people expressed while in her care.  You will find the list here.

In reading the …

OUT magazine posts the 25 gayest moments from broadway.

Have a look, 

they 25 different youtube videos 

  of these moments!  

One last post on the night, you likely have sinned and maybe didn’t even know it.

Here is a look at things you shouldn’t do if you don’t want to end up in hell. Unless of course you think you are living in hell already.

11 Things The Bible Bans, B…

If you don’t like Hockey, you may get annoyed at me for the next two weeks. Just sayin.  Im a hockey fan and it goes back to my days in Quesnel, where we cheered on the Quesnel Kangaroos.  I know its a weird name for a hockey team but when they star…

The CN tower seems to attract the lightning, it was a loud and colourful show last night as a storm swept over Lake Ontario through Toronto last evening.

This picture of the lightning striking the CN Tower is well, Lightning! More photos of the storm…

Some of you know we have a place in Lanark county.  It’s  farn but that farm hasn’t been a real working farm in 40 years.  Its a great place of retreat from the bustle of living in the Centre of the Universe, Toronto for those of you unaware.

I …