Focus on the real criminals!

When even the Americans, famous for their "War on Drugs", are warning the Canadian government against harsh minimum sentencing for minor drug offences, you'd think our fearless leaders would at least consider the argument. I'm not saying that I think the conservatives are suddenly going to decriminalize marijuana, but at the very least, they should look at the harsh sentencing in their new bill. I don't know about you, but I don't think someone who grows 6 pot plants is the same as a pedophile and they certainly don't deserve a harsher sentence! 

For more information on the ridiculous Bill C-10 check out the links below:

• http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/22/u-s-law-panel-urges-harper-to-avoid-costly-failure-of-mandatory-minimum-pot-punishments/
• http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120222/mandatory-minimums-drug-crimes-120222/
• http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/02/22/pol-mandatory-minimums-drug-crimes-us.html

Not so transparent...

In the past, Stephen Harper has pledged to have a more open, transparent government which leaves me a bit confused. Is his idea of transparency "muzzling" scientists and restricting scientific information available to Canadians? Hmm, that's not what I thought it meant so I looked it up and found a few definitions of transparency that don't seem to match Harper's ridiculously nontransparent actions.

"Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in a social context more  generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability."

"In politics, transparency is used as a means of holding public officials accountable and fighting corruption. When a government's meetings are open to the press and the public, its budgets may be reviewed by anyone, and its laws and decisions are open to discussion, it is seen as transparent, and there is less opportunity for the authorities to abuse the system for their own interests." (The Transparency of Politics and the Quality of Politicians)

Read the articles below and then ask yourself how transparent the Harper government is.

• http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120218/science-government-research-120218/
• http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/earthmatters/2012/02/16/science-journalists-appeal-harper-open-letter-stop-muzzling
• http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/02/16/prime-minister-please-stop-muzzling-scientists-and-researchers-open-letter/

For more information on transparency:

• http://www.transparency.ca/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_(behavior)

Fox News Does it Again!

If you aren't entirely convinced that Fox News is quality US programming, you will be now! On Sunday night, when discussing the increasing sexual assault in the American military, Fox News Contributor Liz Trotta had this to say:

"Well, what did they expect? These people are in close contact."

Now, I know what you're thinking, how ridiculous that someone on the news, an actual journalist, would say something like this, but wait, it gets better, or I guess I should say worse:

"we have women once more, the feminist, going, wanting to be warriors and victims at the same time...[feminists] have also directed them, really, to spend a lot of money. They have sexual counselors all over the place, victim's advocates, sexual response coordinators...you have this whole bureaucracy upon bureaucracy being built up with all kinds of levels of people to support women in the military who are now being raped too much."

Yep, you read that correctly. Like I said, quality news programming.

To read more about this useless twit, click on the links below:

• http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/14/10405617-those-who-expect-sexual-assault-in-the-military
• http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2012/02/15/liz-are-you-for-real/
• http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/fox-news-contributor-liz-trotta-spike-sex-assault-military-expect-article-1.1022097

You're either with us, or with them...

For those of you who don't know, the Conservative government is trying to pass a series of bills that will require Internet service providers to "store and make available to the government and police forces information on the Internet activity of the their customers." Talk about big brother! Now, when rational, concerned individuals speak out against the bills, they are spewed a series of statements that don't seem to have any facts to back them up. What is the most ridiculous statement made by our great conservative leaders: "He can either stand with us or with the child pornographers."

WHAT?! REALLY?!

The conservative government is accusing Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia, and those like him, of supporting child pornagraphers because he is trying to protect the privacy of Canadians. It's fear mongering and it's ridiculous!

Read the following articles for more information:

• http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/tories-on-e-snooping-stand-with-us-or-with-the-child-pornographers/article2336889/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Referrer%3A+Social+Network+%2F+Media&utm_content=2336889&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links
• http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/tories-have-yet-to-prove-case-for-e-snooping-bill/article2256197/
• http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20120214/electronic-surveillance-bill-120214/

Find your MP here and tell them what you think of these bills:

• http://www.canada.gc.ca/directories-repertoires/direct-eng.html

Idiots!

A friend of mine brought the following to my attention and I was horrified. What is wrong with society today that women will joke about a man beating up another woman? It is ridiculous and idiotic and they should feel ashamed of their comments. I don't even know what else to say...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/horrible-reactions-to-chris-brown-at-the-grammys

Just Shut Up!

I have some advice to all of you who feel the need to yell out whatever idiotic thing comes into your head when you're at a small-venue concert - don't. Now, I'm not talking about some big stadium or arena, when you're in one of those large places you should yell and scream away. I'm talking about quieter, more intimate places where people pay good money to listen to an artist sing in a venue with great sound, so do them a favour and just shut up so they can enjoy it!

Fans pay to hear the artist sing and/or speak, not you, so just shut up. Also, for those of you who think yelling out your favourite song will make it come up next, the artist already has a set list so just shut up. And, when you think you're being funny and you try yelling out some lame joke, you're usually not, so just shut up. Lastly, before you spout off about just showing your appreciation or just enjoying yourself, we all know you just want to hear your own voice which makes you a bit ridiculous, so just shut up!

Check out this link for some more tips on how to not be a douche-bag at the next concert you go to: http://mrose.hubpages.com/hub/15-Rules-of-Etiquette-for-Rock-Concerts

Who Gives a Crap?

I must admit that over the last few days, I haven't really seen much news or read any papers...I've generally just been out of the loop. So, imagine my surprise this morning when I finally have some time to catch up, and guess what's all over the news, and I mean ALL over the news? Not the rioting in Liberia. Not Herman Cain and his sexual harassment allegations. Not the Keystone Pipeline and the endless issues surrounding it. Not even the tired, old occupy Calgary squatters. Nope, none of these or any other fairly relevant issues were anywhere near the top stories of the day, instead, it was Bieber's baby business! There's nothing more to say about this other than that it is absolutely ridiculous!