At what point can Canadians no longer claim to be a democratic people? We widely recognize when other countries were running sham elections, but our closeness to our own has coloured perception of crimes here. Some don’t mind so much because the resulting government is the one they think they wanted, and others aren’t even […]
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OPSEU Diablogue: Gunn and Lewis receive awards in Port Hope
Two OPSEU advocates from Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences received recognition last night in Port Hope for their health and safety work. Norma Gunn received a standing ovation when she accepted the Ontario Federation of Labour̵…
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Children Love Saskatchewan
Come to Saskatchewan, and see our Wall. (- This wall is in Ottawa.) That’s the apparent pitch, awkwardly spoken by Regina’s former mayor, Pat Fiacco. Now Fiacco is the head of Tourism Saskatchewan, and in charge of making people want to visit our province. Fortunately there are more lasting tourism draws than Canada’s currently most […]
Saskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Good Ol’ American Sex Scandal
The American media is very primitive, which is why it avoids complex and important issues, and instead resorts to tabloid topics like sex scandals. While their country is embroiled in an unprovoked war in Iraq, occupies Afghanistan (along with Canada), and itches to bomb Iran for oil, they’re worried more about where the wiener Petraeus […]
OPSEU Diablogue: Why can’t you e-mail your doctor? Virtual health care is here, but will we accept it?
Ed Brown asked how many people in the audience were able to e-mail their family doctor? A small handful in the Mount Sinai hospital auditorium raised their hand. When asked who would like the ability to e-mail their doctor, everyone in the … Co…
Continue readingCritical Brain Candy: Cutting down oak trees to save the children
This has seemed to evoke universally negative opinions: Mom wants city oaks torn down to protect kids with nut allergies. If this has anything greater than a zero chance of happening, I’d be concerned.
Continue readingLisaKirbie.com: Justin on pot
I’ve defended Trudeau a few times on Sun News saying that he’s not a “shiny pony” (their words) but that, while not an intellectual (even Justin says that), he’s a smart guy. And what I’m liking more and more is the fact that he’s willing to take positions on things – and not just easy […]
Saskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Intel Driver Error Causes Blue Screen of Death
If you have an Intel Centrino wireless adapter, and get a Blue Screen of Death, update the driver to version 15. 13.x and 14.x can generate BSODs especially when connecting to commercial Access Points, like Alcatel’s. netw5ns64.sys (or related errors) come up on the BSOD screen. Windows doesn’t update to the latest Intel driver, that’s […]
OPSEU Diablogue: 50 Shades leading Windsor baby boom — Musyj
We don’t quite what to make of this one. Our most quotable of hospital CEOs is now saying that the erotic bestseller 50 Shades of Grey may be responsible for a mini baby boom in Windsor, Ontario. Windsor Regional Hospital CEO … Continue readin…
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: OMA Deal: Surprise! Bargaining works
It’s a sign of our times when a simple labour agreement can be framed as a political triumph. The latest is news the Ontario Medical Association reached a deal with the provincial government this week on behalf of 25,000 doctors. … Continue rea…
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Minister of Monitoring
Jason Kenney is one of my least favourite Canadian Ministers of all time, and that’s saying something considering some of the duds that are out there now. Apparently he wants to be routinely reminded of how unloved he is, so he spent $750,000 of our money on keeping him abreast of his unpopularity. Perhaps they […]
LisaKirbie.com: I’m sure glad Tammy Duckworth defeated this guy
Abortion was a major issue in the recent U.S. election – usually brought up by old white guys running for the Republican party. But there was one guy, running against the amazing Tammy Duckworth, who said that abortion is never necessary to save a woman’s life, explaining, “with modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance” […]
Saskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Geist on Copyright vs. Internet
An interesting, long lecture from Canadian copyright expert Michael Geist, given at the U of Sask. recently.
ADDED: Here’s a little on open government, as presented at the U of Regina
In This Corner: Is government borrowing really that bad?
I’m not an economist, and I don’t play one on TV. With that in mind, perhaps somebody out there can tell me why it’s such a crime to borrow money to build schools, or roads, or hospitals? The big stink over the weekend, one that is sure to hit odiferous heights when the legislature resumes, […]
LisaKirbie.com: Liberal Watch
A leadership race race that’s barely two months long doesn’t give the candidates much room for error but it’s more exciting for the rest of us. Think the Academy Awards without the stupid dance routines or commercials – the race…
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Mortality Rates: Report suggests hospitals may be gaming the system
Ranking the performance of a public hospital has always been fraught with danger. Hospitals have much at stake with the release of performance data, including everything from funding allocations to the bonuses received by top executives. Let’s say th…
Continue readingCritical Brain Candy: The first good news for RIM in a while
I’m sure you’ve all seen the news: RIM has set a release date for BlackBerry 10. Some people may complain that it’s 2.5 months away, but I think this is good news. It’s a hard deadline, and I hope it means RIM is truly confident in declaring that publicly, because
Continue readingSlap Upside The Head: Vatican Reacts To Equal Marriage Advances
Last Tuesday saw some pretty big wins for equal marriage rights in the United States. Voters in Maryland, Washington, and Maine solidly supported same-sex marriage, marking the first time that a popular vote granted marriage rights to same-sex couples in the country. As usual, whenever big steps toward equality is made, I just have to […]
Continue readingAlberta Diary: More files from the You-Heard-It-Here Dep’t
Jeffrey Simpson of Canada’s National Website ponders the topic of another column. High-profile national prognosticators may not appear exactly as illustrated. More files from the Déjà-Vu-All-Over-Again Dep’t at Canada’s National Website and the You-Heard-It-Here Dep’t at Alberta Diary : “Are storm clouds forming in Alberta Premier Alison Redford’s sunny skies?” “… Ms. Redford’s problem in …
Continue readingGeoff Campbell: Starbucks VP Speech at Newhouse
On Friday, James Olson, Vice President, Global Public Relations for Starbucks Coffee Company came to campus to present his talk, “Enlightened Leadership: How to Turn a Company into a Movement”. It was a story about how the company, according to media reports, was in dire straights in October 2008. The stock was tumbling so Howard Schultz came back to […]