Election call tapes being reviewed by Conservatives

"Election call tapes being reviewed by Conservatives" Wouldn't it be
faster just to reprint the scripts? | http://bit.ly/xfmFBb #robocalls

Failed restaurants

There's a place about five minutes away from me that's hosted a
variety of failed restaurants over the years. Each successive owner
wilfully ignores the litany of reasons the businesses before him
failed; somehow thinking they'll succeed in spot where everyone else
has failed while attempting the very same thing. Invariably they lose
their shirts and the place goes back on the market within a year or
two.

mandatory minimum sentencing
orwellian surveillance initiatives
private for-profit mega-prisons
failed fighter jet programs
rekindling the failed war on drugs
renewed attacks on public health care
possible free trade with China
a ballooning deficit
senseless wars

This government *is* that restaurant.



Lawful access examples abroad a horror story of spending, abuse and minor benefits

Mandatory sentences staying in crime bill

Online surveillance bill backed by police chiefs

Canada's top cops defended the federal government's proposed law that would help investigators track people's online communications, at a news conference in Vancouver Monday.

We can't trust you clowns with pepper spray and when we finally agree

to let you have the non-lethal taser, you somehow manage to start

killing people with it. But sure, unlimited powers of electronic surveillance,

with no judicial oversight? What could go wrong? I've always wanted to

my calls monitored by the guy who flunked High School English, but

almost made it into professional sports.

Man, I hope this doesn't mean they're going to start making us use smaller words.

Once people started freaking out about Bill C-30 aka "The Lawful
Access Act", they suddenly renamed the bill to "The Protecting
Children From Internet Predators Act." Rather tellingly, the new title
is the *only* mention of either children or predators in the document.
I guess, I was wrong about this government. Some of them do read.

“The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of
the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the
benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any
curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation.” --Adolf Hitler

Suicide by Cop

Driving to the Talisman Center about an hour ago. Up ahead, just past the entrance, what appears to be a Chinese Death Bus and a half-dozen police cars: a Checkstop. Take the sweeping right turn up into the parking lot at about 40. Down-shift and tap the brake just before the empty parking booth and...out jumps a cop. He's decked out in a tangerine-orange safety vest and brandishing an illuminated sex toy. Same colour too. A few pulses later, the car shudders to a stop about a foot away from super-cop's knee. Roll down the window. The sex toy is a marshalling wand. The cop is British. Roll down the window. The cop leans in.
"This is a checkstop."
"OK."
"Have you had anything to drink this evening?"
"No. Just going to the gym."
He leans in, sniffing the air. Get's a nose-full of peppermint
trident for his trouble. Super-cop looks around the interior.
"Where's your stuff?"
"Uh..could you be more specific?"
"Your gym stuff."
"I'm wearing it, the place closes in 30 minutes."
Not to be outdone, he asks, "Why are you all red?"
"I almost ran over some fat guy with a flash light. If it wasn't for ABS, I'd be trying to explain to your co-workers why one of their own was staking out my oil pan."
Mildly annoyed, "OK. Have a nice day."
"It's 10:30 at night."
"Move along, sir."

A massive public outcry

Working with their allies in government, powerful lobbyists are pushing a set of initiatives designed to create bigger bills, widespread surveillance, and restricted online choice. This is big. Powerful lobbyists, working with their allies in government, have put forward what amounts to an unavoidable choke point for your Internet use: two bills aimed at Internet users, and a government decision about the future of Internet access. If we don't stop this set-up, you'll have to deal with bigger bills, widespread warrantless surveillance, and restricted choice. By signing an OpenMedia.ca petition, you helped push back against new Internet restrictions and Big Telecom price-gouging. But these new challenges require more resources than ever to fight. Will you donate today so we can defend your rights? Your donation will empower the fight for an open and affordable Internet. These three imminent threats will create an Internet choke point for Canadians, and they're unfolding right now: Online Spying: The government has tabled their invasive spying plan (Bill C-30) to mandate that every Internet provider must hand "authorities" access to the private information of any Canadian, at any time, without a warrant1. Despite appearances the contrary, they are still pushing this through parliament. The Internet Lockdown: Through Bill C-11, Big Media lobbyists are seeking the power2 to compel telecom providers (who will now have surveillance capabilities) to cut Internet access for no good reason, remove or hide vast swaths of the Internet, and lock users out of their own services. The Cell Phone Squeeze: Big Telecom giants are lobbying the government to turn over control of mobile communications—which experts say are the future of Internet access—to just three giant companies3. This will lead to rising prices, even worse customer service, and more easily controlled surveillance. Please contribute a few dollars now to help us stop this triple-threat of price-gouging, control, and warrantless surveillance. With your help, we can put together an airtight, multifaceted plan that will turn government heads. Here's what we'll do with your support: Launch a damning viral video that will turn up the heat on government. Run pro-Internet ads targeting conservative politicians in swing ridings. Unleash local, on-the-ground pressure, especially in major ridings. This approach works. Two MPs have broken ranks4 already; now, we just need to nudge a few more over the fence. But we can't do it without you. Please stand with us by chipping in now. Anything helps. With hope, Steve and Lindsey, on behalf of your OpenMedia.ca Team P.S. We created a media sensation this week and your petition signature helped start it all! Your team here at OpenMedia.ca has been run off our feet with media requests! Please chip in so we can keep up the pressure. We'll report back on our progress to everyone that contributes. Footnotes [1] The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario has written that the online spying bills could "undercut the future of freedom, innovation and privacy" [2] Big Media is pushing for C-11 to include the power for courts to issue injunctions ordering ISPs to block access to websites. Many proposed amendments also include rules that mean accused (i.e. not necessarily convicted) "repeat infringers" could have their Internet connections terminated. The "enabler provision" may also be expanded in such a way that could be used to target legitimate websites that host user generated content. Those websites—including YouTube—could be penalized for hosting content that Big Media controls. [3] Montreal Gazette: Spectrum auction called a threat to new entrants [4] Conservative supporters, including some conservative MPs, have denounced the online spying bills. Support OpenMedia.ca OpenMedia.ca is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from people like you to operate. Our small but dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way to make your voice heard. Please donate today. follow us: 1424 Commercial Dr. PO Box #21674 Vancouver, BC, V5L 5G3 You have received this message through your subscription to an OpenMedia e-mail list. If you did not subscribe or would like to unsubscribe click here.

Leadnow Petition

In the last federal election, 61% of voters cast ballots for change, but the vote split and our broken electoral system gave Stephen Harper a majority of seats in Parliament.

I've long since come to terms with the fact politicians--regardless of party--are self-serving little weasels (not my first word choice), only there to line their own pockets and pay lip-service to the idea of democracy when they're not furthering corporate interests--or hosting pancake breakfasts. 

That said, there are a lot of countries that have it far worse. Let's get rid of the current corrupt weasels (my apologies to any actual weasels) before we *become* one of those countries. I don't know about you, but I've had more than my fill of Orwellian initiatives. 

With your help, and a little luck, I think Canada can return to being being run by a more moderate, slightly less power-crazed, corrupt regime of self-serving shit-heads in 2015.

 http://www.leadnow.ca/cooperation

Aquadog

Flying People in New York City

Kind of soothing to watch, almost like a fish tank.

Two world records, Human flag and push-ups

Damn circus freaks, making the rest of humanity feel bad. Whining aside, that's some insane core strength. The music kind of had me hoping he was gonna fight vampires. The really crazy stuff is about halfway through.