What did we learn from the VMA's?

Rihanna really can't sing

Ditto Katy Perry

Russell Brand isn't funny

And how does pre-taping a lame comedy sketch, delivering a couple of scripted lines to open an awards show and robotically reciting the same acceptance speech indicate that "Britney is back"? Sure I'm glad she's on the road to recovery, as I would be happy for anyone working hard to cast off their demons, but the girl was obvioulsy sedated. Functional, yes - back? No.

And the final thing we learned from the VMA's? Pink IS a star, a hugely talented and bonafide star. Her voice was killer, her performance was exciting, and she is drop-dead sexy gorgeous. So why isn't everyone talking about Pink today?

Federal election and bakesale

I love that Canada can call a federal election in September and be done with it in time for trick or treating. Is this a great country or what?

When you're Sarah Palin, it's a yabba-dabba doo time

I've been trying to find the right words to describe why Sarah Palin is a threat to America, but I think this article probably says it best.

No words

How do you even begin to understand something as horrible and mind-numbing as the vicious, unprovoked killing of Tim McLean?

You can't - no one can - because there is no understanding it. Some things will never make sense. It's just sad and tragic.

R.I.P. Tim.

Peace be with his family and friends.

jm

Apply directly to the forehead

New game: "Where in the world is George Bush's brain?"

In a last ditch attempt to control the thoughts, wills and actions of those living in a "free" America (isn't that what the Iraq war is about, freedom? No?) G.W.B. is drafting legislation that will redefine certain methods of contraception as ABORTION.

Dear Mr Bush - in order for an abortion to take place there first has to be something to abort. Contraception is a pre-emptive strike against the potential need for abortion. You know what a pre-emptive strike is, correct?

Six months and counting folks, hold your breath...

Holmes on Homes redux

I love watching "Holmes On Homes", it's one of the few shows I actually learn stuff from, but I think they need an "extreme" edition that would only air on cable, late at night.

Each episode would begin with Mike Holmes examining a badly done reno or home construction job, as he does now, but rather than politely explaining what's wrong and why, Mike would launch into a tirade of expletives, screaming himself blue in the face about how only a m***** sh**headed f****g eel-sucking m ***f*** dip*** f**** squid-brained c***** would do s*** f****** work so f***** badly.

Then he'd take one of those Vietnam war style flamethrowers to the place, hunt down the dips*** who did the job, and beat his ass with a nail-studded 2x4.

Hey, I'd watch!

jm

Strong language

When I was in high school, around the time of steam power and the Guttenberg printing press, I was fortunate to have a History/Social Studies teacher, Mr Jim Nicks, who instilled in me many of the values that I carry today - one of which is this - that freedom brings with it great responsibility and accountability.

I've been thinking a lot lately about one of our most valuable freedoms, freedom of speech, and the responsibility that comes with it, and I keep coming back to something Jim Nicks taught me 30 odd years ago;

"Your right to free speech extends only to the point where your fist meets my nose"

In a nutshell, this is to say that freedom of speech is NOT an absolute, there are conditions attached to it ie your right to free speech extends only to the point where it is poised to infringe on my basic human rights.

What brought this to mind were 2 recent incidents. The first was an e-mail from a gentleman who objected to something I posted on a message board wherein I called out a poster who'd slandered an acquaintance of mine, all the while hiding behind an alias. The e-mailer insisted I was denying this person's right to free speech; I responded that free speech does not exist where an individual shirks the responsibility of owning up to their remarks by publishing their real name.

The second incident was something I stumbled upon quite innocently. While searching on youtube I came across a tv interview with a woman whose right wing fundamentalist "Christian" organization pickets the funerals of dead soldiers, victims of natural disasters, gay rights supporters, and any number of other groups, while holding picket signs that read "Thank God for dead soldiers", "God hates fags", and several other slogans that I don't wish to repeat - nor do I wish to repeat the name of her church. Simply put, and I offer this after having visited their website, this is the most viciously, unabashedly hateful group I've ever seen in modern times. They are racist, they are homophobic, they hate Jews, Catholics, Muslims, and anyone else who does not subscribe to their fanatically twisted misinterpretation of the bible.

Unfortunately the American Civil Liberties Union has come to the defence of this group, insisting that they have the right to voice their opinions, as guaranteed by the constituion.

I disagree. Free speech is NOT the freedom to say whatever you wish about whomever you wish, whenever you wish. Free speech is the right to engage, to express, to contribute, to agree, to disagree, to debate, to use this wonderful thing we call language in order to further ideas that build up our societies rather than tear them down. We have the freedom to use language to put an end to hatred and bigotry, we have the freedom to use language to oppose repression, and we have these freedoms because of, and only when we accept responsibility for our words.

"Your right to free speech extends only to the point where your fist meets my nose"

jm

I'm mad as hell...

I'm so sick of politicians and beaurocrats jumping on the bandwagon at our expense.

I'm talking about BC Premier Gordon Campbell's "Carbon Tax", which will raise the price of gas by 7.2 cents/litre over the next 3 years. The trickle-down effect, from air transport to the cost of food, will be enormous. And why are WE paying for this? Because Campbell and his sidekick, Finance Minister Carole Taylor, say "we all have to do our part for the environment". The BC LIberals wish to be seen as the "green party".

I agree, we DO have to do our part for the environment - but they are offering NO ALTERNATIVES TO DRIVING. The only public transit option I have from my home in Mission BC to my workplace in Richmond BC is a train into downtown Vancouver, then 2 buses back to Richmond. Travel time is 2.5 hours EACH WAY. I will NOT spend 5 hours a day commuting.

When I asked my MLA and Carol Taylor how public transit will be improved, which I'm assuming is what the Carbon tax is all about, neither of them were able to answer. In both cases they passed the buck onto another level of government.

I cannot afford to sell my vehicle and buy a hybrid.

I WANT to find alternatives, but our highly paid government officials are not offering any.

At a time when gas prices are at an all time high, and still rising, the BC Liberals are going to make us pay even more so that they can look good.

See you at the polls folks.