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Rittenhouse "cleared"
Nov. 19th, 2021 01:59 pmDammit.
Just got the news alert e-mail from the Toronto Star.
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
Just got the news alert e-mail from the Toronto Star.
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
Stereotypes, Republicans, Wisconsin
Nov. 18th, 2021 07:57 pmThere is a stereotype being built here about Republicans from Wisconsin, and I'm afraid that this is the latest installment in the self-wounding process. I say this because CBC News has noticed Rep. Glenn Grothman, my friends.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/speech-congress-canada-1.6253849
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/speech-congress-canada-1.6253849
The Trump-worshipper is getting what he wants.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-natale-staffieri-ceo-1.6251678
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-natale-staffieri-ceo-1.6251678
Pandemic: "Industrial Censorship"
Nov. 13th, 2021 02:49 pmAs opposed to the governmental variety, which most of us here know to be wary of.
This report from The Intercept about the choices made by hospitals - and other organizations - in response to news services' needs for information reminds us that "industrial censorship" is not an oxymoronic concept. It's real and it has consequences that may not have been expected either.
This report from The Intercept about the choices made by hospitals - and other organizations - in response to news services' needs for information reminds us that "industrial censorship" is not an oxymoronic concept. It's real and it has consequences that may not have been expected either.
I'll get to Remembrance next post.
Right now...I see that the Metro grocery chain wants me to switch from web site to cellphone app to get my Air Miles points offers.
I object to that. Too many people and organizations get to track too much of what I do with my cell phone as it is now. So I'm digging in my heels on this one.
Right now...I see that the Metro grocery chain wants me to switch from web site to cellphone app to get my Air Miles points offers.
I object to that. Too many people and organizations get to track too much of what I do with my cell phone as it is now. So I'm digging in my heels on this one.
Rogers Communications is now in the hands of a Trump-worshipper.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-court-ruling-1.6239278
Before anyone objects to this characterization, a reminder: he *did* go to Mar-a-Lago to genuflect in person...
https://www.blogto.com/city/2021/05/toronto-mar-a-lago-trump/
And we all know who the Mar-a-Lago Malefactor still considers worthy of hero-worship.
This is a problem we have to solve before it "solves" democracy in Canada.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-court-ruling-1.6239278
Before anyone objects to this characterization, a reminder: he *did* go to Mar-a-Lago to genuflect in person...
https://www.blogto.com/city/2021/05/toronto-mar-a-lago-trump/
And we all know who the Mar-a-Lago Malefactor still considers worthy of hero-worship.
This is a problem we have to solve before it "solves" democracy in Canada.
If you live in Ontario...
Aug. 24th, 2021 07:46 pmBeware Ontario Green Savings. That's my opinion.
Their latest thing? Once they've (violated Ontario Bill 59 by way of having) cold-called you into letting them into the house is to talk up deals about HEPA filters.
https://www.bbb.org/ca/on/toronto/profile/furnace-sales/ontario-green-savings-0107-1371486
And yes, this is one more reason why I'm never taking a call centre job. I know people who've taken such work and never done a single bit of scamming in their lives as such workers. Some of them are on my friendlist here and I'm glad to know them.
Not taking any chances, though.
Their latest thing? Once they've (violated Ontario Bill 59 by way of having) cold-called you into letting them into the house is to talk up deals about HEPA filters.
https://www.bbb.org/ca/on/toronto/profile/furnace-sales/ontario-green-savings-0107-1371486
And yes, this is one more reason why I'm never taking a call centre job. I know people who've taken such work and never done a single bit of scamming in their lives as such workers. Some of them are on my friendlist here and I'm glad to know them.
Not taking any chances, though.
Long Twitter thread. Go read it, starting here:
https://twitter.com/doctorow/status/1421215457206431744
Alternative, non-tracking venue for the same content:
https://pluralistic.net/2021/07/30/space-marines/#fairy-use-tale
I note that I own or co-own a few pieces of IP myself, including this weblog, and have created others under work-for-hire rules for other companies. There are still things that I - or any IP (co-)owner shouldn't expect to get away with.
https://twitter.com/doctorow/status/1421215457206431744
Alternative, non-tracking venue for the same content:
https://pluralistic.net/2021/07/30/space-marines/#fairy-use-tale
I note that I own or co-own a few pieces of IP myself, including this weblog, and have created others under work-for-hire rules for other companies. There are still things that I - or any IP (co-)owner shouldn't expect to get away with.
A political observation
May. 26th, 2021 10:06 pmI watched Ottawa City Council for seven hours or so on YouTube today. Not the only thing I did on-line, but it was important.
And if city councillors are capable of pulling Bart Simpson-like "I didn't do it, nobody saw me, you can't prove it" crap, I think I saw one try it today.
And if city councillors are capable of pulling Bart Simpson-like "I didn't do it, nobody saw me, you can't prove it" crap, I think I saw one try it today.
C-10, Oligarchy and the Future
May. 22nd, 2021 09:20 pmI just finished watching a re-run of Man of Steel. Before that, I was rereading David Brin's novel Earth and reading an opinion piece in today's Globe and Mail by Sue Gardner (once of CBC and Wikimedia) on Bill C-10.
I think Prof. Michael Geist has fair criticisms of C-10 as presently promoted by the Trudeau team, particularly Heritage minister Steven Guilbeault. I share those concerns. Sue Gardner pointed out other issues, issues that C-10 might still be refashioned to address better. Issues about the business model of the major internet giants, including Facebook, Twitter, Alphabet/Google, etc.. The model that requires pushing engagement over education...rather than both in tandem.
It also speaks to some concerns that Dr. Brin put forward in the course of writing Earth: oligarchy trying to hold onto the power it used to have by keeping humanity more divided than absolutely necessary. Those companies risk being more entrenched as an oligarchy itself or as part of an existing structure's newer components.
In case any of you are able to get around the paywall because you're subscribed or otherwise legally able to look at it directly:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-crackdown-on-big-tech-targets-symptoms-rather-than-the-disease/
Also, my local public library provides ProQuest access to the article. Your own public libraries - wherever you are - may be able to provide similar access.
I think Prof. Michael Geist has fair criticisms of C-10 as presently promoted by the Trudeau team, particularly Heritage minister Steven Guilbeault. I share those concerns. Sue Gardner pointed out other issues, issues that C-10 might still be refashioned to address better. Issues about the business model of the major internet giants, including Facebook, Twitter, Alphabet/Google, etc.. The model that requires pushing engagement over education...rather than both in tandem.
It also speaks to some concerns that Dr. Brin put forward in the course of writing Earth: oligarchy trying to hold onto the power it used to have by keeping humanity more divided than absolutely necessary. Those companies risk being more entrenched as an oligarchy itself or as part of an existing structure's newer components.
In case any of you are able to get around the paywall because you're subscribed or otherwise legally able to look at it directly:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-crackdown-on-big-tech-targets-symptoms-rather-than-the-disease/
Also, my local public library provides ProQuest access to the article. Your own public libraries - wherever you are - may be able to provide similar access.
Dental Care in Saskatchewan
May. 21st, 2021 08:19 amNoting this tweet:
https://twitter.com/saskatcheyawn/status/1395403982554767360
I was a beneficiary of that dental care policy in Saskatchewan. Entire classrooms full of kids going to get dental checkups and work done when I was in grade school. One-on-one clinics at high school.
And the dental care policy was ended in 1987? We can rightly blame the Conservatives of the day for that one, I suspect. Grant Devine was premier at that point, yes?
The author of the tweet may have a point in commenting on the Pandemic In Progress in this context.
https://twitter.com/saskatcheyawn/status/1395403982554767360
I was a beneficiary of that dental care policy in Saskatchewan. Entire classrooms full of kids going to get dental checkups and work done when I was in grade school. One-on-one clinics at high school.
And the dental care policy was ended in 1987? We can rightly blame the Conservatives of the day for that one, I suspect. Grant Devine was premier at that point, yes?
The author of the tweet may have a point in commenting on the Pandemic In Progress in this context.
News: Pas d'encore, M. Legault!!!
May. 14th, 2021 08:15 amHere we go again.
Québec premier François Legault is looking to aggravate the language situation yet again. Details here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-bill-101-language-revamp-1.6023532
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bill-96-quebec-language-laws-1.6025859
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pontiac-quebec-language-law-joanne-labadie-1.6025706
The second article's headline invoking the word "reforms" is a horrible word choice for describing this idea.
So much for peace within Québec in particular and Canada in general...and we should have expected as much from the CAQ.
Québec premier François Legault is looking to aggravate the language situation yet again. Details here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-bill-101-language-revamp-1.6023532
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bill-96-quebec-language-laws-1.6025859
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pontiac-quebec-language-law-joanne-labadie-1.6025706
The second article's headline invoking the word "reforms" is a horrible word choice for describing this idea.
So much for peace within Québec in particular and Canada in general...and we should have expected as much from the CAQ.
Quoting from this link...
https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/greening-news/2021/05/postmedias-cozy-relationship-fossil-fuel-industry
"Postmedia emerged from previous owner Canwest's ill-fated gamble on multimedia "convergence" between broadcast, print and digital media. The papers were bought at bargain prices by its creditors with U.S. hedge-fund backing. Since 2016, Chatham Asset Management has held about 66 per cent ownership, a company with an 80 per cent stake in American Media Inc., controversial for its ties to former U.S. president Donald Trump."
American Media Inc. was, until April 2019, the parent company of The National Enquirer and Globe.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A360media
Now, I'm wondering what Hudson Group's interest in buying those tabloids was. And does Dufry AG's leadership understand what their Hudson Group subsidiary has taken on? If so, why? If not, why not?
https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/greening-news/2021/05/postmedias-cozy-relationship-fossil-fuel-industry
"Postmedia emerged from previous owner Canwest's ill-fated gamble on multimedia "convergence" between broadcast, print and digital media. The papers were bought at bargain prices by its creditors with U.S. hedge-fund backing. Since 2016, Chatham Asset Management has held about 66 per cent ownership, a company with an 80 per cent stake in American Media Inc., controversial for its ties to former U.S. president Donald Trump."
American Media Inc. was, until April 2019, the parent company of The National Enquirer and Globe.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A360media
Now, I'm wondering what Hudson Group's interest in buying those tabloids was. And does Dufry AG's leadership understand what their Hudson Group subsidiary has taken on? If so, why? If not, why not?
Symptoms of Reich-Wingers
May. 10th, 2021 03:54 pmI see symptoms of no small concern across my own country...
Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh connecting the dots between anti-maskers and the far right. Correctly, based on far too many data points.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jagmeet-singh-anti-mask-far-right-1.6020777
A pro-racism candidate for mayor of Calgary about to get access to the full list of registered-eligible voters for that city now that Naheed Nenshi has announced that he will not be running for another term. He's already issued threats against employees of Alberta Health Services (AHS) across that province, demanding and insisting to be able to legally "dox" them.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-dox-calgary-mayor-voter-list-1.6020029
"People's Party" leader Maxime Bernier accused of shooting off his mouth - at the aforementioned Mr. Singh (among others) - in court.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-kinsella-defamation-lawsuit-1.6015385
Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh connecting the dots between anti-maskers and the far right. Correctly, based on far too many data points.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jagmeet-singh-anti-mask-far-right-1.6020777
A pro-racism candidate for mayor of Calgary about to get access to the full list of registered-eligible voters for that city now that Naheed Nenshi has announced that he will not be running for another term. He's already issued threats against employees of Alberta Health Services (AHS) across that province, demanding and insisting to be able to legally "dox" them.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-dox-calgary-mayor-voter-list-1.6020029
"People's Party" leader Maxime Bernier accused of shooting off his mouth - at the aforementioned Mr. Singh (among others) - in court.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-kinsella-defamation-lawsuit-1.6015385
(no subject)
Mar. 17th, 2021 07:48 pmShoulder still hurts.
Of course.
And filed in the folder marked "It isn't about you, Dwight!", I see there are still fools seeking to make the world burn. In Atlanta for example. That shooter. And that sheriff's department captain with his "one bad day" speech turning out to be a walking, talking, Trumpist-tee-shirt-hawking bonfire on legs. Senator McConnell bouncing back and forth between Washington and Tennessee. The people pushing vote-suppression legislation across the States. Premiers who look very much like they're trying to screw up the COVID file in seven provinces while disguising themselves as people who give a damn.
I'm trying to register page templates in Clip Studio Paint through the arm pain.
Maybe I should take a break and watch Coroner instead?
Of course.
And filed in the folder marked "It isn't about you, Dwight!", I see there are still fools seeking to make the world burn. In Atlanta for example. That shooter. And that sheriff's department captain with his "one bad day" speech turning out to be a walking, talking, Trumpist-tee-shirt-hawking bonfire on legs. Senator McConnell bouncing back and forth between Washington and Tennessee. The people pushing vote-suppression legislation across the States. Premiers who look very much like they're trying to screw up the COVID file in seven provinces while disguising themselves as people who give a damn.
I'm trying to register page templates in Clip Studio Paint through the arm pain.
Maybe I should take a break and watch Coroner instead?
Bracing to Leave the Honorverse
Feb. 19th, 2021 07:58 pmOr, at least, to stop buying new books set in that version of our galaxy. I've been reading them since Honor Among Enemies was released in paperback. So...about twenty years now.
Mainly, if it happens, it's going to be due to what I'm reading second-hand of series author David Weber's apparent non-reaction to the Trumpist crowd now apparently dominating the online forum Baen's Bar as administered by Baen Books from several of you. I'm not expecting a happy reaction to whatever Mr. Weber's posted to Facebook about the matter when I see it for myself later tonight.
Which will be cause for some sadness. But it won't be the first time fictional characters proved (mostly) better people than their creator/designer/primary actor on-screen in recent memory. Will it?
More later, I suppose. One way or another.
Mainly, if it happens, it's going to be due to what I'm reading second-hand of series author David Weber's apparent non-reaction to the Trumpist crowd now apparently dominating the online forum Baen's Bar as administered by Baen Books from several of you. I'm not expecting a happy reaction to whatever Mr. Weber's posted to Facebook about the matter when I see it for myself later tonight.
Which will be cause for some sadness. But it won't be the first time fictional characters proved (mostly) better people than their creator/designer/primary actor on-screen in recent memory. Will it?
More later, I suppose. One way or another.
How to Celebrate a Death Properly
Feb. 17th, 2021 03:57 pmIn this case, Rush Limbaugh's death.
How to celebrate it? Find someone he'd have wanted ignored and abused, and help them lift themselves up.
It's the best sort of vengeance to take upon his crimes.
How to celebrate it? Find someone he'd have wanted ignored and abused, and help them lift themselves up.
It's the best sort of vengeance to take upon his crimes.
