November 2007 Archives
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« October 2007 | | December 2007 » How To Get Your WayNovember 29, 2007 @ 09:43
The proposal for an Africentric school was never meant to be part of last night's agenda but that didn't matter to a group that wanted it to be. Apparently the paper work wasn't completed for a discussion to take place so this regressive proposal which will take us back to the days of segregation didn't make it to the table and this created quite a stir. There was yelling and screaming and "rapping" with obscenities in it. One woman screamed "it is our children who are dying in these schools" another bellowed "why don't you want our children to be educated" and a few others occupied the seats of trustees. After attempting to bring the meeting to some semblance of order board chair Sheila Ward was forced to shut everything down. Isn't that wonderful? It seems that Africentric schools are no longer a proposal or a privilege or an interesting concept, it's become a right that will be promoted through unruliness and overly dramatic rhetoric. I read accounts of what happened in the newspapers this morning, and then I heard the audio on radio reports and it sounded ridiculous - and it begs this question - if this is the behaviour that comes with the issue simply not being on the agenda, what will happen if the schools don't happen? According to the board Africentric schools were never meant to be part of the agenda last night and they have no idea how some people thought they were and they apologized vehemently for the misunderstanding. But that wasn't enough and it created a reaction that leaves you wondering why there isn't the same passion put into parenting and being accountable for the behaviour of your children. And of course the night ended with a typically Canadian response. The Toronto District School Board caved in and vowed a "special" meeting will now be held on the issue in January. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Category: Stuff
November 29, 2007 @ 09:42
They suck at it. They're 0 and 3 this year and 7 and 17 since it was introduced a couple of years ago. But really, it should come as no mystery to anyone. The Maple Leafs over-riding problem is their lack of skilled players. They have good players, some of them bordering on very good, but outside of Mats Sundin there is very little "skill." You know how the old saying goes. You can teach a player to check but you can't teach him how to score and for some reason over the past several years the Leafs have drafted players with little or no finish. Mat Stajan and Alex Steen are two fine examples. No hands. Darcy Tucker's never really been a goal scorer per say, while Ponikerovsky and Antropov are hit and miss at best. Tuesday nights shootout was another indication of the Leaf woes. They had five shots and Sundin was the only guy to score. The rest of the crew didn't come close, bordering on pathetic. With the Leafs, when overtime ends they don't take part in a shoot-out. It's more a shoot-at. Category: Sports
November 29, 2007 @ 09:41
Yesterday I mentioned one of Romy's responses to my blog so he turned around and wrote about it on his blog. Paul once described me as a goose-stepping Conservative. Category: Politics
Toronto Mike November 29, 2007 @ 09:40
Mike doesn't really like Rob Ford. He thinks he's full of hot air but I beg to differ so I responded. Have a read and see what you think.
Category: Politics
Support This Man November 28, 2007 @ 10:00
You either love him or hate it seems, with the majority on the hate side and I still don't fully understand it. I wrack my brain and I try to determine exactly what this man has done to be so disliked by so many and I can't find a lot of evidence. His first crime obviously is that he's a Conservative and to many it doesn't matter what you say, what you do, who you save or what you support, if you're a Conservative you're automatically a heartless bastard. Of course some of you will come back and claim I'm the same way with Liberals, but I have a track record to point to, I have evidence of 13 years of bad and corrupt government. But Liberals like to turn the other way when it comes to such evidence and direct their energy and scorn towards the right. I for the life of me can't understand why Harper is being so vilified for his stand on global warming. All he's trying to do is rally the world behind one unified attack on the issue, knowing full well if we buy into the bullshit that's on the table right now, we'll end up going it alone. What is the use of Canada signing on the dotted line only to have the United States and a whack of developing nations not part of the deal? It makes no sense. Sure, if we did sign Harper could walk away from the table like a hero in the eyes of some and Canada would be considered a good global citizen, but what would it accomplish, what would be gained? Absolutely nothing would change. I think its time that we recognize and appreciate that our Prime Minister is sticking his neck out with an eye on the big picture. He's putting his reputation on the line to make sure that the fight on global warming becomes what it has to be, a fight that includes every goddamn polluter on earth. Yesterday I chuckled at some of the responses accusing Harper of being some kind of a wimp because he won't move forward "unless the other guy does." When applied to this issue that's ridiculous. Stephen Harper knows that in the best of situations, even those who sign on to any deal will probably end up breaking the rules, so what's the use of having a deal without having everyone involved and at least having everyone accountable. Yesterday my dear friend Paul Romanuk, who I'm quite sure would vote for Jack Latyon and the NDP in the next election, offered this. "Here's the reality: Most people outside of Canada don't even know who Stephen Harper is; nor could they give a rat's ass what he thinks about anything." That's fine Paul, but what has it got to do with anything relating to this subject? The Prime Minister is acting on behalf of Canada first with an eye towards creating a game plan that actually has some teeth. Give the man time, lay of the hysterical global warming rhetoric and just for a minute don't judge along partisan lines and all of sudden it might make sense to you: Stephen Harper might become a global hero.
Category: Politics
Look After Your Own November 28, 2007 @ 09:59
In a nutshell the report points out that seven out of ten kids are non-white and they don't see themselves reflected in the curriculum and of course now there's been a connection made between alienation and achievement. The TSB will now scramble to make things all better by introducing "an aggressive staff development initiative" to help teachers bring a range of cultural perspectives into class. There will be meetings and forums and think tanks and more meetings and I'm sure some expensive lunches and dinners along the way. Meanwhile somebody has to come up with a game plan that will involve all students and all cultures and that should be a tall order. How do you do that? How do you bring "all cultures" into the curriculum without getting bogged down along the way? Call me crazy, old fashioned and ignorant, but I don't care. If people want their kids to learn about their "culture" it should be done at home. It works, and I speak from experience. My wife's family moved from South Africa in the 1960's and they left to escape Apartheid. My mother in law couldn't remain in a country where her children were given ceilings. They could only go to certain schools in South Africa and then only certain Universities. They had these restrictions because they were classed as "coloured", as matter of fact, my wife's South African birth certificate has the word "coloured" stamped right across it. My in-laws wanted more for their kids with no limits and no restrictions so they found their way to good old Canada through England. They came to Canada with nothing. They lived in a small apartment on Midland Avenue in Scarborough with nothing more than a few mattresses on the floor, but they were happy to be in Canada and rather than bitch and complain and find fault, they made Canada work for them. They both got jobs and my wife and her two brothers went to school. It was back in the days when most classes were lily white so don't speak to me about alienation in 2007. My wife Delyse was a visible minority with an English accent and at 12 years of age she was plunked right into a class room on a cold day in February. But funny thing is, it all turned out OK. A strong family unit saw this family furnish their apartment, then move to a better one and then buy a house and then buy a business. The kids went to school and her parents didn't complain about the curriculum because they were just happy to be in a great and free country. They were more than happy to adopt the ways and customs of their new country. When it came to heritage the kids would ask questions at home and get all the information they needed, in fact my wife got enough information about South Africa in the 60's that she has no desire to visit the country in which she was born. The point is, we sure waste a lot of time in this country today looking after the peripheral needs of so many and I hate to keep bashing a dead horse but I have to; it all comes back to the home. There are so many bleeding hearts hell bent to supply excuses for every squeaky wheel in the country it becomes regressive. Look after your own and the rest will look after itself. Category: Stuff
A Solid Leader November 27, 2007 @ 09:29
Yesterday in the House of Commons Stephen Harper was vilified and pounded by the opposition for his bold stance on a climate change deal at the Commonwealth meetings in Africa. Harper, to his credit refuses to sign or agree to any document that excludes other countries that pollute just as much or more than we do. He thinks it's ridiculous for Canada and other countries to commit to things that developing countries are exempt from. The easiest thing on earth would be for Harper to buckle under and look like an environmental hero by signing something that could totally screw this country in the long run. He's not an idiot, he knows what's expected of Canada, and if we sign something we'll be expected to follow it to the letter while other countries get off the hook. It could have enormous effects on our economy but nobody seems to take that into consideration in their rush to buy into all this hysterical global warming bullshit. Yes, there is a problem and nobody denies it, not even the "evil" Mr. Harper who's desperately trying to broker a deal that involves everyone and takes a more rational and fair approach to global warming. Instead of being criticized and insulted for it he should be applauded for it. Here we have a Prime Minister with big enough balls to take an unpopular stand on the world stage and we can't appreciate the fact the he's doing it in the best interests of Canada. Yesterday he was accused of being a pawn for the big oil companies and standing in the way of progress. He wasn't standing in the way of anything. He was standing "up" for Canada.
Category: Politics
Oprah Loves Obama November 27, 2007 @ 09:28
Oprah Winfrey will join Barack Obama in three early voting states, Iowa, New Hampshire and North Carolina, states considered crucial in his bid to defeat Hilary Clinton for the democratic nomination. History dictates that these kind of high profile endorsement don't usually help put someone over the top but this could be a whole other ball of wax. Oprah is considered the second most influential woman in the United States, ironically just behind Hillary. But her alignment with Obama could transcend all other examples of celebrity endorsements because Oprah speaks to those people who Obama has a realistic chance of reaching; women and black Americans with politics the last thing on their minds. The United States suffers from the same problem that Canada has. Voter turnout is usually embarrassingly low and it's believed a candidate like Obama, backed by the huge media machine that is Oprah, could get people's attention and inspire them to come out and vote. Voter turnout in black America has been pathetic over the past few decades because of a feeling of hopelessness; they don't feel anything will change. Well this could provide the breakthrough they've been looking for, a black candidate endorsed by a powerful black woman. As it stands Obama is closing the gap on Hillary so this could get very interesting, and who knows, if it works for the Democratic nomination, it just might work for the Presidency. Category:
Meet The Mayor November 27, 2007 @ 09:27
There were four murders in the city and the best Miller could do was blame the United States for their lax gun laws. This guy is unbelievable. He can't really believe what he says because it's ridiculous. It's obvious he'd rather keep his head firmly planted in his ass and let the city crumble around him. Why doesn't he have the guts to look the problem right in the eye and identify it? There's a gun culture in Toronto that makes up a tiny speck of the population. It's the same profile of person that's dying week after week after week but Miller doesn't have the guts to say it. He'd rather pass the buck. Category: Politics
Not Enough November 27, 2007 @ 09:26
The new Aboriginal Affairs minister did something the Premier refuses to do, he showed his face to people who've had their lives turned upside down for the past 637 days. Bryant met with several groups and had several discussions and admitted innocent people are hurting, but came away says he expects Caledonia town council to get back to him with a town revitalization plan. What the hell does that mean? Nothing will start to move in Caledonia until Six Nations protestors are given a strict time table to get off land that doesn't belong to them, or short of that, until they're physically removed. Category: Stuff
Step One November 27, 2007 @ 09:25
Mike Zeisberger reports that Maple Leafs President Richard Peddie has publicly admitted that hiring John Ferguson Jr. was probably a mistake. "To be honest, it was a mistake on my part for not fully understanding at the time what the job of being (the Leafs GM) in this market fully entailed," Peddie said. Well that's it! That's all you need to know about this organization and where the problems begin. Not that we didn't know it before now, but having Peddie actually come out and admit he doesn't know what he's doing is a major breakthrough. It's like coming to grips with the fact you have a alcohol or drug problem. You have to admit it to deal with it. I don't know about you, but I actually feel a little better this morning, although it's got to be extremely humiliating for JFJ. Category: Sports
The Sports Zone November 27, 2007 @ 09:24
It talked about my stint with Bill Watters and mentioned another venture of mine way back in 1988 called the Sports Zone. I remember it fondly because it was an extremely trying yet rewarding time in my career mainly because the show was so ahead of its time. I got a call from a producer at the CBC named Doug Syrota who had the idea for a different kind of sports show and he wanted me to audition. Two average guys would sit in big easy chairs, shoot the shit about sports and do off the wall interviews and features much like you see today. But this was 1988 and after I got the gig with BJ Del Conte and we went to air, it wasn't received very well by the established Toronto media and I wrote about one incident in a posting last year. Half didn't get it, and the other half were jealous, but to this day I'm proud of that show because it was cutting edge and ruffled the feathers of so many stale assholes in sports jackets reading scores. In typical Canadian fashion it didn't last long but take nothing away from the concept and the gamble because it was a lot of goddamn fun. Thanks to my sweet mother, who's collected virtually every piece of press during my career, here's an article from Starweek Magazine in November of 1988, the night before the show went to air. Category: Television
Freddie P. On TV November 26, 2007 @ 09:03
Those are the questions we'll be dealing with when I join Mark and Donna on CHCH Live at 5:30 today. Tune in and turn on. CHCH Live at 5:30 with Mark Hebscher and Donna Skelly. Category: Television
Last Week On The Bill Watters Show November 26, 2007 @ 08:38
It was a lot of fun, and working with Bill is something I won't soon forget. Watters is a special breed of Canadian personality, much like Don Cherry. However unlike Cherry, Watters is well spoken, articulate and possesses a much larger background in sports. Bill is definitely on to something with his new show now positioned in afternoon drive. On Saturday afternoon I hosted a Grey Cup charity event for Weber Barbeques on Front St. and I was amazed at how many people told me they had heard me on Bill's show. It reminded me of the early days of MOJO radio when it seemed that every guy over 35 years old had discovered the station and claimed it as their new favourite. The persistent question has always been; can Toronto support two sports radio stations especially after the disaster that was the Team 1050. Well in this case I think it can because am 640 is not full time sports, and the Watters Show seems to be gaining a reputation as a nice alternative to the other sports offering in town. As solid and established as the other show is, the Bill Watters Show is hockey centric with a more "fun" approach. Again, that's not to take anything away from Prime Time Sports because it's top notch quality, but the Watters show offers a distinct alternative that seems to be gaining a lot of steam. There may not be room for two sports radio stations in town, but there's definitely room for the Bill Watters Show. Category: Radio
Sports Weekend November 26, 2007 @ 08:37
The response from Torontonians could have been better, but that's our loss. The events the parties, the concerts and the convenience of having it all in one place provided a show second to none and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all those western whack jobs. I also thought the Skydome looked great yesterday. I watched the game on television but from what I could see, it was dressed up quite nicely and looked extremely professional and it really looked cool during the half time show. Lenny Kravitz performed three songs including American Woman and if you happened notice he provided Canada with a glimpse of his butt crack at one point. He went into a squat and he looked like professional plumber. I don't think the bugger was wearin' underwear. Another highlight of the day was the emotion showed by Saskatchewan quarterback Kerry Joseph who seemed overwhelmed by everything. That's the beauty of the Canadian Football League. A few years ago this guy was playing nothing but flag football when he got the call to try out for the old Ottawa Renegades, and the rest as they say, is history.
Apparently it's getting downright nasty around the ACC. Word is this could be the last couple of days for John Ferguson Jr. and this comes on the heels of JFJ actually pushing to have Paul Maurice fired last week. Given the current situation of this mess you couldn't argue with either guy being fired but there's a problem with the GM position, they have nobody to replace him with. We keep hearing about Glen Healey, and now Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman but those guys have about as much experience as I do. Ironically, the guy with the most experience, capability and knowledge of the team would never be asked by the current regime. But I don't think Bill Watters would want the job anyway. Category: Sports
Big Dough November 26, 2007 @ 08:35
Something called the "College Of Sports Media" has opened in downtown Toronto and it describes itself as "Canada's most elite institution for radio and television sports broadcasting." Wow. That's something. They have a website that's up and running so you can go there to get all the details except how much it costs but according to Chris Zelkovich in Friday's Star its $17 thousand dollars. Apparently, it's a 17 month course at a thousand dollars a month. Wow. That's something. I'm of two minds when it comes to this. And neither is that encouraging. I can understand a kid wanting to take this course because it appears to be a fast tracking, intensive course that gets right to the point, unlike the community colleges that continue to be co-coordinated by people who never really had much success in the business and who stretch very little instruction over way too much time. I've always felt that any college broadcasting course that lasted more than two years is a waste of time, and over the years it was re-enforced by the kids who came through these courses and then interned on the Humble and Fred Show. In many cases most of they couldn't believe how they learned more interning for a couple of months, than they did at college for three years. It was my experience that most of the kids in the colleges took radio and/or TV broadcasting because it looked cool and they didn't know what else to take. I've stood in front of classes of thirty kids where maybe ten were really into it, ten weren't sure and the rest could give a shit, and it was reflective in the pathetic papers they turned in. If there was any consensus among the kids, it was this. None of them felt they were getting their monies worth, so from that standpoint I can see a kid being attracted to something like the College of Sports Media. But at seventeen thousand dollars? What concerns me about this is how restrictive it could be. A two or three year college course might cost a kid upwards of seventeen thousand dollars but only if they need housing and food to go along with it. If they live at home, it's not even ten thousand. Not only that, but they have summers in between to raise the money to pay for the next year and they get invaluable college life experience. Seventeen thousand in seventeen months is way beyond what most kids can handle so you know who will end up in this course, rich kids or kids who will end up with humongous loans and this has got to affect the eligibility process. There's another broadcasting course in Toronto outside of the colleges that continuously tells kids with little or no talent that "they have what it takes to be Canada's next great broadcaster" and often his is done during an initial phone conversation. But hey, there's rent to pay and bills to pay, they need tuition money to stay afloat and that's what concerns me about the College of Sports Media. Given the facilities that have been built the overhead must be astronomical. What if the response isn't that overwhelming but bills have to be paid? Who gets in that maybe shouldn't get in? Who is led to believe they have a future when really they don't? Hey, don't get me wrong by the time someone is finished high school or they've reach their early twenties they should be able to make intelligent decisions and given the fact most kids are coming out of the community colleges having twiddled their thumbs for two or three years something like the College of Sports Media must look pretty attractive, but there is so much to consider. With big corporate take-overs, convergence, networking and the new era obsession with the bottom line, there are a lot less jobs in the broadcasting industry than there used to be and I feel bad for those kids who sign up for these programs when they don't stand a chance. And believe me; the majority don't stand a chance.
Category: Stuff
The Hawk And The Rock November 25, 2007 @ 09:36
On Mondays at 7:15 I join McArther and Face on the 103.9 The Hawk in London/Woodstock, and on Wednesdays I join Craig and Matt on 100.7 The Rock in Windsor/Detroit. We talk about all kinds of stuff, but usually stuff I've written on my blog that all the boys find interesting. Please listen if you can. Category: Radio
A Toronto Treasure November 23, 2007 @ 10:49
First I went up the street with Bill and Neighbour John to the CFL Awards at Roy Thompson Hall. The show was great, but I have to say the attendance was disappointing. Even though it was hosted by Dan Aykroyd and the night was a tribute to the late John Candy the city seemed to ignore it. I don't know if was the wrong venue, or whether the tickets were priced too high, or whether people just didn't show up because of the weather, but it had to be a bit embarrassing for the league. After that we went back to the convention centre and I went down to the Grey Cup Classic party and had to endure about an hour of Loverboy before the great David Wilcox performed. Yes this man is definitely a Toronto treasure. I used to go see him in bars in my late teens and other than having no hair now, he hasn't changed a bit. His bluesy rock repertoire and his amazing relationship with a guitar are something you have to see to believe. It had been close to 10 years since I last law Wilcox live and I just stood there in front of the stage without moving for over an hour. It was fantastic. Category: Stuff
Today On The Bill Watters Show November 22, 2007 @ 11:30
We're in the South Building, level 700, right near Riderville. We have a jam packed show today with the main focus on the Grey Cup. Among our guest today will be CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon. If you're in the area, drop in a say hello to Billy, he's a good fella who was drafted by the Argos way back in the early 60s.... in case you didn't know. am 640 Toronto - 4pm - 7pm - The Bill Watters Show with Fred Patterson (this week) Category: Radio
JFK And Barney November 22, 2007 @ 11:29
There was a tapping on the door and Miss Werenga went back and opened it only to be greeted by another teacher who was crying. She said something about President Kennedy and Miss Werenga left the room but was back in less than a minute. When she returned she explained to us that somebody had shot President Kennedy in a place called Dallas. She didn't get into a lot of detail because we were only seven years old and we really weren't sure who this President Kennedy guy was and Dallas could have been around the corner for all we knew. Shortly before we left for the day our Principal Mr. Carter came on the PA and briefly re-capped what had happened and encouraged us to go home and ask our parents about it. Needless to say the magnitude of what happened really hit home when I got home and started to watch our black and white Philco. And it escalated even more when my mom got home from work and I could see how upset she was. Again, I wasn't sure what or who the president was but even at that age I could appreciate I was experiencing history by the reaction of everyone and everything around me - it was a very sad day. And then things changed dramatically. As I approached the car my dad rolled down the window and started to ask me a few questions. I had wanted a dog for the longest time after seeing the movie "The Incredible Journey" but my parents had resisted. My dad said something like. "Do you like black dogs?" And I said yes. And then he said "How about black dogs with white fur on their paws?" And I said yes. And then he said "How about this dog?" And he reached across the seat and held up a beautiful little Heinz 57 that I immediately fell in love with. I called her Barney (Fred and Barney) and I would have her for the next 17 years. She lived through the 60's, all through 70's and hung on until we had to put her down in 1981. I got Barney when I was in grade two and she was part of my life through public school, high school, college and getting a job at CFNY. I got Barney on the day President Kennedy was assassinated and she was around for Bobby Kennedy's assassination, Martin Luther King's assassination, two Maple Leaf Stanley Cups, the breakup of the Beatles, Canada winning the 1972 Super Series, the Montreal Olympics, the birth of the Blue Jays, John Lennon's assassination and my wedding day. She was a darlin' and I'll never forget her, especially on November 22nd when we're all reminded of what an historic day it is. Category: Family
Jenny Grows Up November 20, 2007 @ 09:36
Back in the early 90's I was drawn to 90210 by the girls. I was in my 30's and the girls were in their late teens, but it was OK. I was approaching middle age, but I still noticed a good looking female when I saw one. Tiffini Amber Theisenn was stunning with those eyes, Gabrielle Carteris was perky , Shannen Doherty was dirty (in a good way) and Kathleen Robertson was Canadian. Heck, I was even attracted to Tori Spelling. She may have had a puppy dog face, but her body was quite remarkable. But of all the girls on 90210, my favourite was Jenny Garth. She had it all as far as I was concerned. She was cutie pie, she played a nice and considerate girl on the show and her wholesome image was contained in a healthy and curvy body. A few weeks ago I was channel surfing, on one of the many Canadian specialty TV channels - that was licensed by the CRTC despite offering nothing more than American re-runs - I happened upon an old episode of 90210. Almost immediately Jenny's face popped up on the screen and I couldn't help but thinking, "what ever happened to Jenny Garth." Well smack my ass and call me Henry, last night I walk into the house after hosting the Bill Watters Show on am 640 Toronto and my wife was watching Dancing With Stars, and guess who was spinning her now 35 year old body on the dance floor? Jenny Garth. And I've got to be honest, she still looks pretty good. (not that she shouldn't considering she's only in her 30's, but have you seen Tori Spelling lately?) Jenny still has that cute face, she still has that warm disposition and she appears to have kept herself in good shape. In fact Jenny told Us Weekly magazine recently, "I'm So Comfortable with My Body, I Can Go Out There Half Naked!" I got the same feelings for her last night that I got 17 years ago. Only this time it was little more acceptable. A lot of guys in their 50's are doin' chicks in their 30's…. aren't they?
Recycling With Neighbour John November 20, 2007 @ 09:35
A good measure of the garbage we get in a week we don't ask for. Forget about all the merchandise that is needlessly over-packaged, what about all the crap that Canada post delivers? What about all the flyers and pamphlets and advertisements that most of us routinely take from the mail box and drop into our grey box. It's a great revenue generator for Canada Post, but it's nothing more than a pain in the ass for the rest of us. That's where the recycling issue becomes questionable. On one hand you have your regional government insisting on recycling and putting the onus on home owners, yet on the other hand you have the federal government cramming your "superbox" with junk mail. No wonder "some people" get so pissed off they take the mail right out of their box and shove it right back into the mail slot. Here's Neighbour John's comment from yesterday. When people stop putting dog crap in a baggie, then a shopping bag, then a garbage bag, I may think about recycling, Neighbour John Category: Stuff
Brother Jake November 20, 2007 @ 09:35
In case you're wondering Jake is still alive and kickin' and doing great radio in Vancouver while enjoying great success. He's the morning man at Classic Rock 101 in Vancouver. Jake is still having fun, he's still doing The Champ and he's got some other great bits. The other day I happened upon this one. A guy named Steve told an entire story by using the name of rock bands. Have a listen. Category: Radio
Bishop Blows November 19, 2007 @ 09:13
The only excuse Bishop has is that it was his first ever start in professional playoff game, but that's the extent of it. He's been around the Canadian Football League for seven years now and he should have a pretty good idea of what the game is all about. His passing stats actually look quite impressive if you didn't see the game. He completed 21 passes for 376 yards, but attempted 45 and one of the completions went for 90 yards. Other than that it was too little too late and in the early going he continuously over-threw open receivers. It was hard to believe why Pinball left him in there. Which brings us to another point, what was Pinball thinking yesterday? There was little or no attempt to run the ball, and he all but ignored Andre Talbot who's been the Argos bread and butter guy all year. The Bombers kept trying to hand the game to the Argonauts, especially in the fourth quarter, but Bishop wouldn't take it. He should have had the opportunity, because Damon Allen or Rocky Butler couldn't have been any worse. The sad thing is, the Argonauts had a responsibility to the city and the league to win yesterdays game, and although nothing is ever for sure, they let a lot of people down yesterday. Category: Sports
No Shame November 19, 2007 @ 09:12
If their point was to make those police officers involved in Dziekanski's death feel shitty I'm sure they were successful. When you think about the all the things cops have to deal with across this country on a day to day basis, the thousands of sticky situations and life threatening moments, you wonder why people would choose to protest one terrible mistake. And yes I know. One death is one too many and the video confirms an alternative method of apprehending Dziekanski could have been used, but mistakes happen and when you stack them up against all the wonderful and decent things our cops do, why the furor? What happened to Robert Dziekanski in Canada happens routinely to people all over the world on a daily basis in scum bag countries; human rights violations take place that would blow your head off. But because this country is held in such high regard, because it's so decent and proper and we have no history of such behaviour, we're held to a higher standard. I laughed when I saw and heard reaction from other countries around the world and the supposed shame it brought upon us. It's sad and terrible and regrettable and the incident should be reviewed, analyzed and dissected so it never happens again. But for those cops involved, there is no shame.
Category: Stuff
It Works November 19, 2007 @ 09:11
But I have to admit, I've come around lately. In Peel Region where I live, there used to be no limit to how many bags of garbage you could put out to the street, then about three years ago they instituted the three bag limit. To be honest I never fully understood the "bag limit' idea because it appeared to be grossly unfair and encouraged "dumping." When the three bag limit was first introduced my daughter was away at college so that meant most of the time it was just me and my wife and my son in the house. Meanwhile, next door at Neighbour John's there were two adults and six kids contributing to their garbage load. How is it that fair? I never had much of a problem with three bags and I've got to be honest, because of that I probably wasn't as conscious of recycling as I should have been. It was easier to ram cardboard and glass into a green garbage bag in the house, than to walk it out to one of the bins. It wasn't until a "two bag" limit was introduced in Peel a few weeks ago that I finally grasped the strategy behind it. All of a sudden two bags weren't enough for me, but when I analyzed what I was doing, it all made sense to me. If you properly separate you cardboard and glass and dump other slop in your green bin, it's amazing how little "other" garbage you have, and two bags is more than enough for my family. Not only that, but there's no restriction on how many grey or blue boxes you use and the Region is more than happy to supply you with as many as you need or want. I can't speak for Neighbour John, I'm sure with his large family its still a challenge, but there really is something to be said for separating all your crap. Unless of course they take it somewhere and dump it all into the same hole. Category: Stuff
Bruce Barker Checks In November 19, 2007 @ 09:10
Bruce Barker is the morning man at Cam-fm Radio in Camrose, Alberta and up until last season he was also the arena voice of the Toronto Rock. Barks used to get on a plane and fly east for every Rock game, but this year his schedule will become a little easier. Barker is now the arena voice of the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and you can read about it here. Category: Radio
What About The Coaching November 16, 2007 @ 09:52
If you saw last nights game in Boston you saw a disorganized team in total disarray. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to what they do and their system for moving the puck out of their own end is almost funny. The Leafs aren't very good, but they're certainly not this bad. After the game it's the same old thing, Maurice defends his team and points to bright spots that escape the rest of us, and then he blames the players for things that eventually have to fall onto the shoulders of the coach. This is basically the same team as the Leafs had last year and the years before, but it's decidedly worse than it was two years ago. From my perspective, the one glaring problem is the consistency of their inconsistency. From game to game, shift to shift you have no idea what you're going to get and the root of this problem is tied to discipline. The Maple Leafs are terribly undisciplined as a team and that has to be hung on Maurice. I realize that Paul Maurice has no control over those soft goals that have gone between Andrew Raycroft's legs during the past couple of games, and he didn't give the puck away on the blue line against Montreal on Tuesday night, but seven victories in the first twenty games is something he can't escape. This franchise has never been in a better position to enter a new era but it's not going to happen because of a laughable structure from the top down. The general manager isn't very good and the coach apparently isn't very good, but they were hired by an ownership group that isn't very good. The Leafs should take this time in their history to blow up the franchise and start again, but they don't have anyone qualified to take on the project. Category: Sports
Neighbour John Update - Mission Accomplished November 16, 2007 @ 09:51
John does most of his business in the Ohio and there's a bar chain there called the Winking Lizard. They have a promotion whereby if you drink one hundred pre-determined international beers in a calendar year, you win a jacket. It's not quite the end of November and John made it. He drank all one hundred beers, and some of them tasted like hyena piss but ironically, the final beer was a Molson Canadian. It's a high quality blue jean jacket with the Winking Lizard logo on the left hand chest.
It was quite the adventure for Johnny boy this week. Not only did he accomplish the beer drinking thing, his also took him through Toledo where he paid a visit to Tony Packo's, world famous for their chili dogs. Tony Packo's became super famous back in the 1970's when it was mentioned by Jamie Farr on MASH. His character Klinger was from Toledo and one day while the unit was reminiscing about things they miss about home, Klinger named the chili dogs at Packo's John just had to stop in and have one.
Category: Neighbour John
Romy on Lindros November 16, 2007 @ 09:50
But he has a long history in Canadians sports broadcasting and possesses and wealth of interesting stories and anecdotes. One such story involves Bonnie and Carl Lindro's the infamous parents of Eric. Click over to Romanuk's blog and enjoy some good reading. Category: Sports
Numbers Climb With Tlusty's Hog November 15, 2007 @ 09:32
I can't begin to tell you how this stuff works, I leave that Mike Boon, but for some reason my posting about Jiri Tlusty yesterday had people clambering to this website driving my unique hits through the roof. Apparently it's got something to do with the title of your posting and then having it linked to a website that has mass appeal. For me it was a website called wikio and if you go there and scroll down, you'll see the posting Jiri's Hog. As for the situation itself, I was quite pleased with the way it was generally handled by the media yesterday. It really is no big deal. Tlusty took the picture over a year ago and was double-crossed by the girl he e-mailed it to. In retrospect it was a stupid thing to do, but not so stupid that the guy should be crucified. It looks like he'll be able to move on and put this behind him, after all it was only his dick and it was just hanging there, it wasn't hurting anyone or causing any trouble. I'm sure Tlusty will take some razzing in Boston tonight. What's left of the fans in Beantown can be pretty cruel and no doubt they've heard about this story and thanks to the web have seen the pictures. I'd give anything to be in Boston tonight and hear some of the comments. Category: Sports
Tasers November 15, 2007 @ 09:31
He was tasered twice by the RCMP and then died and this has opened debate on whether tasering him was necessary and if taser guns should be used at all. His name was Robert Dziekanski's and he had arrived alone from Poland through Franfurt but for some reason he spent ten hours in a secured area. The video shows the man becoming agitated and throwing computer equipment and furniture around. Eventually the police arrive and it's not long before they taser the guy not once but twice. The video is disturbing and its easy to come to the conclusion that the cops over-reacted, but as usual that's easy to say in retrospect. Don't forget there are elevated standards of law enforcement at airports and going into a situation police are never really quite sure what they are dealing with. Robert Dziekanski died at that's unfortunate, but if he'd lived the RCMP would be probably be getting credit for a job well done during a tense situation at an airport. There was no intent to kill the man only to subdue him and it went terribly wrong. The issue isn't whether a taser should have been used in this case, the issue has become whether a taser should be used at all if it can kill someone. Category: Stuff
George Bryson Checks In November 15, 2007 @ 09:30
George works for Rogers now and checked in with this e-mail. Hey Fred, George Bryson Category: Endorsements | Television
Jiri's Hog November 14, 2007 @ 10:34
A naked picture of Jiri has shown up on the internet and as we all know anything a Maple Leafs does gains a lot of attention. Tlusty is standing in front of a mirror and it's obvious a self portrait taken with a camera phone and although he can be quite proud of he's been blessed with, that's the extent of the good news. No matter how you look at it, naked pictures of someone who plays for hockey's most popular franchise should have used a little more forethought, regardless that the pictures were taken last year when he was a member of the Soo Greyhounds. How does a 19 year old not appreciate the impact of the internet and the trouble that could follow once you hang your salami in front of a camera? It's a daily occurrence today. Young people have a few drinks; they get carried away, off come the pants and out comes the camera. What seems innocent and funny at the time becomes an internet posting the next day. For someone of Tlusty's age and stature it's hard to believe he didn't think about this before unleashed his manhood on the world. Granted, he's got a pretty good hammer on him, but what's to be gained by taking a picture of your own goods. Wouldn't rather be taking a picture of somebody else's goods and preferably a womans? And that leads to another problem for Tlusty. There's also a picture of Tlusty that show him "tonguing" another man and now this has raised questions about his sexual preference and that can always be a bit uncomfortable, although I must say the so-called "tonguing" picture looks innocent to me. The Leafs and Tlusty issued a press release last night hoping to meet the problem head on and then move on. Fat chance. This is Toronto and these are the Leafs. This is only the beginning for Tlusty and now he'll have to deal with the innuendos and the cat calls and wait till the Leafs are on the road in places like Boston and Philadelphia, he'll be eaten alive and that could lead to another problem. As we all know, the Leafs don't have a very good track record when it comes to developing good young hockey players. The pressure of playing in Toronto is enough without becoming a naked model on the internet. Hopefully this will not be the beginning of the end for Jiri Tlusty, because in reality, it really isn't that big a deal. Category: Sports
Freddie P. On TV November 14, 2007 @ 10:33
We'll talk about young people, the internet and the dangers it can attract and whether Jiri Tlusty has brought shame upon an historic and storied sports franchise. CHCH Live at 5:30. Category: Television
Breakfast With Scot November 14, 2007 @ 10:32
It was about a year ago that we learned the Toronto Maple Leafs had given their approval to a movie about a gay professional hockey player who just happened to be a Maple Leaf. It was something else. Here was a situation of the Maple Leafs actually being progressive but there was a ton written and said about how it was a sad day for the franchise and people like Conn Smythe and Punch Imlach would be rolling in their graves. It was pathetic and prompted me to write this. Category: Sports
Did He Or Didn't He November 14, 2007 @ 10:31
It deals with a report on the radio station by Leaf reporter Howard Berger that claimed Saturday night's pre-game incident at the ACC was brought on by comments Avery made towards Jason Blake about his cancer. Avery denies it all saying he had two grandfathers who died of cancer and that he does endless work for cancer charities. The situation has become somewhat murky because although Darcy Tucker and Blake admit Avery stepped over the line, they won't come right out and confirm what he said. Bottom line. If Avery is being accused of saying such things, somebody better confirm it, prove it or drop it. Meanwhile, the league has fined both Avery and Tucker for their tussle on Saturday night, but nothing was revealed about what started it. No doubt Sean Avery is an asshole, but until what he said is confirmed, he remains a small "a" asshole. Category: Sports
Public Inquiry November 14, 2007 @ 10:30
When it comes to these guys there's very little patience when it comes to waiting for due process. There's a legion of people out there who want to see them nailed to the wall no matter what it takes and whether they deserve it or not. I was quite amused by the reaction of some who were clambering for a public inquiry, almost delighted that Harper hadn't called before yesterday. It made him look more suspect, more conniving and ruthless. But even after he made the announcement yesterday, that still wasn't good enough. Then it became question of timing. He didn't call it soon enough, and even though there will be an inquiry, it probably won't be above board and it was called only as a form of defense - whatever that means. Meanwhile, thanks to regular read Trish who brought my attention to this article in the National Post.
Category: Politics
Dealing With An A-Hole November 13, 2007 @ 08:26
To their credit neither Darcy Tucker nor Jason Blake will get into specifics, but apparently Avery directed comments towards Blake in the pre-game skate, comments about his battle with leukemia. Avery is a pea brain who has a long history of shit disturbing so these allegations come as no surprise and they were fortified yesterday by Fan 590 reporter Howard Berger who claims other Rangers confirmed what Avery said. The comments were so out of line, so off base that even Avery's team mates were pissed off and that's what prompted Darcy Tucker to tangle with Avery before and during the game. The allegations are so serious that Avery has been called before the NHL's disciplinary board to explain himself. Nothing will probably come of it, but there seems to be enough smoke in the air to suggest Avery aught to be ashamed of himself. Trash talk is one thing but it really should be confined to something your team-mate can control. Like his behavior or his lifestyle or the way he wears his equipment, but when it comes to something like cancer, you've got to be pretty low to use it as a tool to throw your opponent off his game. But there's no explaining certain people in certain situations and Sean Avery proved long before this incident that he's an asshole. Category: Sports
Dealing With A Loonie November 13, 2007 @ 08:25
Toronto city councilor Howard Moscoe proposed that all Toronto parking meters be adjusted to reject American coins now that the Canadian dollar is above par. Moscoe claims there is a glut of American coins being dumped into the economy and it could cost the city millions. As it turns out nothing will be done because the cost of adjusting meters would far exceed any savings. But it begs for this question to be asked. What about the 30 previous years when American coins were worth more than Canadian coins? Were any adjustments proposed. Were any rebates given? Did Moscoe give a crap then? You know the answer. Category: Stuff
Disrespectful November 12, 2007 @ 08:51
They get the day off because Remembrance Day fell on a Sunday this year that means they get credit for the "holiday" today. Years ago in Ontario a lot more people used to get Remembrance Day as a "holiday" but it was plain for all to see that it was being abused. Few paid any regard to the true meaning or spirit of the day off so it was rolled back. But they didn't go far enough. It should have been eliminated for everyone. But short of that, rather than tangling with a bunch of coddled and overly protected government employees, at the very least they should have eliminated the "loo day" option on Remembrance Day. If it falls on Saturday or Sunday, tough luck, it's not like Christmas or Canada Day or Labour Day that are statutory holidays and can be banked for further use if they don't fall on convenient days. Remembrance Day is a whole other ball of wax that shouldn't be viewed or regarded as just another holiday. It's a question of respect and to my mind all respect is lost when you take another day in its place. Even if it did become a statutory holiday like all the others we enjoy in a year, I still don't think the "loo-day" option should apply. Remembrance Day is Remembrance Day. Category: Stuff
November 9, 2007 @ 08:48
Category:
Vimy Ridge November 9, 2007 @ 08:46
From April 9/07 Today is a significant day in the history of our country, and it must take precedent over hockey, and golf and politics. Today is the day the Canadians attacked Vimy Ridge. It's was a defining moment in our history and a story that's as wonderful as it is horrific. Just imagine for a moment in 2007 Canada being involved in a four day battle that would see 11 thousand Canadian casualties including close to four thousand dead and most of them in their late teens or early twenties. My son Danny is 21 years old and I couldn't stand him being in Mexico at a resort for one week, so I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to have a child half way across the world in a time of war. The primitive communications alone would have made this excruciating for families. Imagine if you can, a son or daughter thousands of miles away in the heat of battle and there's no way of getting updates. A soldier would be killed and the family wouldn't find out for weeks, and it was usually by telegram with very little detail and most families never got the opportunity to claim a body. Again, the thought of putting myself in this position makes me shudder. On Remembrance Day I wrote about my grandfather Fred W. Perrin who was 18 years old when he was in trench on the Western Front and the Germans started experimenting with mustard gas. Papa took a good dose and for the rest of his life lived with the affects of those few moments. I don't know if my grandfather actually took part in the battle for Vimy Ridge. I was only 11 years old when he died and my mom says he never wanted to talk about the war, it was too painful and something he wanted to push out of his mind, so it's something I'll probably never know. But on this day, the 90th anniversary of the Canadian military attack on Vimy Ridge we should all take a few moments to appreciate the sacrifices that were made for future generations. Google Vimy Ridge, or take the time to watch one of the many documentaries that will be on television today. Or, at the very least take seven and a half minutes to watch the video below. We owe it to the men, women and "kids" who gave their lives for us.
Category: Family
Vimy Ridge, My Mom And Her Dad November 9, 2007 @ 08:46
From April 11/ 07 Mississauga, ONT - "Thank you again for a great story on my dad and the war that he was far too young to be involved in. I think you have finally hit on something, the Vimy Ridge war would be the war he fought, it would have put him at exactly l8. Category: Family
November 9, 2007 @ 08:46
And thank God for Fred Perrin, my Grandad Bob Prentice, now 95, and all our Veterans. Bob Prentice Category: Family
Priceless Hero November 9, 2007 @ 08:46
His name is Robert Metcalfe and he died last month at the age of 90. That he managed to live to that age is rather remarkable, given what happened in the Second World War. Born in England, he was one of the 400,000 members of the British Expeditionary Force sent to the mainland where they found themselves facing the new German warfare technique - the Blitzkrieg. * He was treating a wounded comrade when he was hit in the legs by shrapnel. Enroute to hospital, his ambulance came under fire from a German tank, which then miraculously ceased fire. At the age of 80 he wrote a book about his experiences and on his retirement he and his wife moved to Ottawa. One day out of the blue he received a call from a government official asking him to go downtown for a photo op. He wasn't told what the photo was for or why they chose him. "He had no idea he would be on the bill," his daughter said. Category: Stuff
Freddie P. On TV November 9, 2007 @ 08:46
Instant replays in baseball, badly managed hockey teams (guess who) Erick Lindros (see below) and the CFL playoffs are just a few things we'll banter about. CHCH Live at 5:30 with Mark Hebscher and Donna Skelly. Category: Television
The Big $ November 9, 2007 @ 08:45
During his retirement announcement yesterday Eric Lindros donated five million dollars to the London Health Sciences Foundation, which includes the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic where most of his injuries were treated. Dress it up any way you want but the bottom line is, Eric Lindros will move five million dollars out of his own personal bank account and give it to charity. I don't want to get into the name game here and mention other Canadian athletes who have made millions of dollars and question why they haven't delivered in the same way because that wouldn't be fair. Some choose to keep their philanthropy private, but I have a pretty good idea that nobody else has ever given this much. Some don't like Lindros because he challenged the NHL draft, others don't like him because of his parents whining and complaining throughout his entire career, and others feel he was just plain over-rated. None of that matters today. All that matters is that Eric Lindros had a fine career, he made tens of millions of dollars and now he's sharing some of it. Well done.
Goohead phoned the Flyers head office one day and surprisingly got right through to Bobby Clarke. Have a listen Category: Sports
Money Madness November 8, 2007 @ 10:06
He was talking about the aging process and the steps old bastards like me and the wife can take to slow it down. He's just released a new book with another doctor named Michael F. Roizen called "You Staying Young" so of course my wife wanted to buy it. Funny little place this Canada. Delyse went to our local Chapters and found the book, and like most Canadians lately, she immediately flipped it over to check the price difference. Wow. $19.99 in the United States but $29.99 in Canada. Crazy eh, our dollar is worth roughly sever percent more than the American dollar, but Chapters wants roughly 30 percent more in Canadian dollars than they want in American dollars. Delyse brought it to their attention but it fell on deaf ears. The attendant at Chapters basically said that's the price and there's nothing they could do about it. Then my sweet wife had an idea. Having just been in the States on the weekend she still has some American money in her purse so she offered to pay the American price in American dollars. The person at Chapters giggled and said no, but she could pay the Canadian price in American dollars, but not having a calculator at hand, and not being totally aware of the exchange rate at that precise moment my wife decided to do what I'm sure most Canadians are doing these days, she decided not to buy it. She left for Detroit on business this morning and will buy the book there. With the exchange it will cost her $18.60. * on-line this morning Chapters had reduced this book to $16.49 in Canada, but the person at Chapters did not offer this information on Tuesday evening.
Category: Stuff
More Money Madness November 8, 2007 @ 10:05
A study over the past 15 years reveals that the top one percent of Canada's income earners is paying an average of 30.4 percent in income tax, while the bottom ten percent is paying 30.7. From that point I agree, it's unfair. As far as I'm concerned, both should be paying the same but that's the extent of it. I've always wondered why it should be any different, but here are those in our society who think the so called rich should pay an even higher percentage. Actually they do, so I'm not quite sure how this "think tank" arrived at its figure. In Canada, the more you make the higher tax bracket you enter and that's why anyone in Canada who makes over 69 thousand dollars is elevated into the 50 percent tax bracket, unbelievably that's considered affluent in this country. But forget all those numbers. I'd rather address those people who honestly think those at the upper end of our income scale should be taxed even more than they are now. These complainers often use the term "fair share." Everyone should pay their fair share. Well answer me this. If someone who makes 100 thousand dollars a year pays 30 thousand dollars in tax, and someone who makes 50 thousand a year pays 15 thousand, how is that not fair? Forget about the percentages and the tax brackets, the person who makes twice as much money pays twice as much tax how can it be any fairer than that? The idea of a flat tax in Canada has been floated for years but it's always met with resistance because for some twisted reason there are too many people who claim it's not fair to the working poor. What isn't fair is penalizing success and achievement. Category: Stuff
Hockey Fantasy November 7, 2007 @ 09:54
Here it is. The Leafs and Senators have now played three times this season and the Senators have won all three. The Senators go on to win all eight meetings this year and they win by a wide margin and this prompts the disgusting fans of the NHL's most unlikable team to throw insults and laughter towards Toronto. Ottawa fans, despite having nothing to show for a decade of talented hockey teams, piss all over the Leafs and their fans and enjoy the fact the Leafs appear poised to miss the playoffs for the third year in a row. But then something crazy happens. On the last night of the season the Leafs slip into the eighth and final playoff spot and that means a first round match-up with the Senators. The Senators despite dominating the regular season now find themselves in an uncomfortable position. There's no doubt they should beat the Maple Leafs and they're heavily favoured, but that's no necessarily a good thing. The Senators think back to other years and other playoff failures against the Leafs and begin to think too much. They're so determined not to let it happen again that they start to hold their sticks a little differently and execute their game plan a little carelessly. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs who have nothing to lose start playing a game that has escaped them most of the year. They can feel the tension in the terrified Senators and it gives them a confidence that is inexplicable. Goaltending is another surprise. Finally we see the Tesa Toskala that we've been waiting for and Ray Emery becomes a Patrick Lalime clone and he allows goals that you'd see at the local hockey arena on a Saturday afternoon. As the series progresses the Leafs take control while Senators captain Daniel Alfreddson does what he has done so many other times in the playoffs, he disappears. Jason Spezza plays like he's hurt and Danny Heatley plays like he doesn't care. And then, on one glorious night in mid April, at the Scotiabank Centre in Kanata, Ontario, the man who is most hated by Senators fans scores an overtime goal in game seven. Darcy Tucker is the hero and Ottawa chokes again. The Senators are done and the Leafs move on….. where they lose four straight to the Rangers in the next round. Category: Sports
The Blame Game November 7, 2007 @ 09:53
From what I could gather people from the Caribbean are strongly in support of black only schools, while most other people are dead against it. I can honestly say the vast majority of those who called in support of the black only schools yesterday had Caribbean accents and they're convinced it's the system that's failing their children and not their parenting skills. Not once did anyone accept any level of responsibility for the large drop out rate among young black males, instead they blamed the schools, the teachers and the "R" word. It was absolutely amazing. One guy who called the Charles Adler Show was downright belligerent as he called other callers stupid, the school system useless and teachers uncaring, but he like many others was unable to explain why most other ethnic groups aren't having the same problem. And that seems to be the key to this issue and it remains unanswered. Why don't Asian, East Asian and other visible minorities have the same problem? Some might argue that it's a question of expectations. Expectations in the home are much higher and those parents don't have time for excuses or accusations, they simply expect their kids to get the job and provide the foundation for them to succeed. Of course others who love to lean on excuses might look at that and somehow twist it into a racist perspective, but that's par for the course and something we all have to live with. It was encouraging to see the Premier speak out against black only schools yesterday, but as usual he passed the buck and said it would ultimately be up to the Toronto school board. Just once it would be nice to see him take a stand and say something like "there will be no black schools under my watch." But that's a lot to ask of this guy. It was even more refreshing to hear the position of Zanana Akande, the first black woman elected to the Ontario Legislature and the first in Canada to serve as a cabinet minister and Harold Brathwaite, former director of education at the Peel public board. Both reject the idea saying it's a step backward because it's exactly what blacks fought against for decades. Segregation. Category: Radio
Stafford Smyth And Zerbisias November 7, 2007 @ 09:52
First of all, get a lot of what Antonia Zerbisias wrote in today's Toronto Star. There's no doubt she belongs at the Star with this spin on Stephen Harper's GST cut. It's amazing how some people expect the government to look after everything, including mopping up behind those who do a shitty job of running their lives. Second. Read Mike Stafford's blog from yesterday. As usual Mike puts an issue into clear cut perspective. And finally, listen to Dick Smyth's commentary from yesterday on am 640 Toronto Radio. He nails it with Dalton.
Ripkin Checks In November 7, 2007 @ 09:50
It's amazing, wherever I go people (mostly guys) talk about how much they loved MOJO Radio and without fail, they mention Ripkin. Ripkin did the mid-day show. He followed the Humble and Fred Show and his gravelly voice, coupled with his ability to make just about anything interesting made him the favourite of a lot of guys who found their way to MOJO between 2001 and 03. In the spring of '03 Ripkin left MOJO and returned to his home province of Manitoba where he dabbled in a few things before finding his way back to radio. Ripkin is now known as Roadhouse Rick on Hank-FM in Winnipeg. He's half of the morning team of Rick and Troy. Troy is known as Cowboy Troy. It's the perfect situation for (Ripkin), he's back home, he always wanted to do a morning show, and he's enjoying some solid success. He checked in to FreddieP.ca and said this. "What the heck? What's up? Long time no hear. I heard you guys were on Mix for a while and then....? If you were a fan of Ripkin/Rick Loewen/ Roadhouse Rick, you can check him out here. Category: Radio
Here We Go Again November 6, 2007 @ 09:22
I could hardly believe it this morning when I woke up to the story of the Toronto school board considering "Africentric" schools again. I wonder how John Tory feels this morning. His proposal for funding religious schools in Toronto caused him a humiliating defeat in the provincial election and he was pounded nowhere more than in the city of Toronto. But today we find out that some whacked out Toronto school trustees are bending to the demands of some in the black community who think they're kids are failing in class because they don't learn enough about African culture and that's why drop out rates are so high. The world is going crazy. Donna Harrow is a community worker and she's in cahoots with parent Angela Wilson, they'd like to see an "African-centred alternative school" from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 that would have more black teachers, black mentors, more focus on students' heritage and more parent involvement. "For us, it's important to try something else," said Harrow. "Many parents from the Islands or from Africa, they've actually gone through an Africentric way of teaching" back home which includes using mentors from the community. "It's building up students' self-esteem by showing them that there are other black people in the neighbourhood who are successful, who are doing well and who will care for them in a supportive manner." In other words, as the system sits nobody cares about black kids. Black kids are failing because of the system, because of the teachers and because of the curriculum. And the accusations go further than that. George Dei is a sociology professor and he's convinced our schools are failing black kids. "Black students tell us that teachers often give up on them so easily; they don't treat them as serious students," said Dei. Can you believe it? How's that for a cop out. Once again it's everybody else's fault and it looks like the city is about to buckle under and give-in to another minority group. Further meetings are planned to discuss the issue. There's only one thing about this issue that makes any sense and it's admission that more parent involvement is needed. That's really the only adjustment that needs to be made when it comes to the education of black kids or any kid for that matter. Parents have to take on more responsibility and stop looking for someone else to blame. Look at it this way. In Brampton there are lots of classrooms with only one or two white kids in rooms filled with East Indians. Can you imagine if the parents of those white kids demanded their own schools? Can you imagine how fast the shit would hit the fan? How are schools for black kids any different?
Category: Stuff
Judy Croon November 6, 2007 @ 09:20
My relationship with Judy, although brief was very enjoyable. We didn't really get to develop much of an on-air thing because I was fired not long after she joined the Humble and Fred Show, but I certainly developed affection for her. Judy is a very nice woman and extremely funny. She's also very compassionate and that's been displayed through her creation of "Laughlines" and the money it's generated for the Princess Margaret Hospital. Judy also loves animals and is very good to her mom and dad. She's also a solid radio performer and I was pleased to find out recently that she's landed on her feet in Montreal after a short stint at XM with Mike Bullard. Judy is no the co-host of the Live Drive Show with Ken Connors and Sonia Benezra on Montreal's Q-92 between 4pm and 7pm. Good luck Judy. You're a darlin'.
Category: Radio
Writers Cramp November 5, 2007 @ 10:03
There's only one show I watch on a weekly basis and that's Dennis Leary's "Rescue Me", but apparently the entire season is already in the can so the strike would have to drag on for months before it would affect this show. Even then, I wouldn't really care because it's not like I can't live without it. I'm not one of those people who build a whole day around "my show" and then spend a good portion of the next day talking about it. For the most part, all I watch on television is news and sports and these fall outside of the strike. As an old radio guy I often laugh of the idea of TV writers. In radio you don't have any so it's amusing when you hear how and entire industry will crumble with a writers strike. Especially shows like Leno and Letterman. These guys are comics who I'm sure climbed their way to the top by writing their own stuff. You'd think they might take the initiative and write some new shit for their shows - after all, if they don't these shows will go into re-run and there's nothing worse than an out of date re-run of a talk show - you know what I'm sayin? Category: Show Biz
Have A Heart November 5, 2007 @ 10:02
In 1992 O'Neil Grant was deported from Canada to Jamaica for assault with a weapon and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He appealed in 1993 and it was stayed for five years. But during the time he was charged as an accomplice in Vivi Leimonis murder at Just Desserts in Yorkville in 1994. He was acquitted in the Just Desserts case, more on a technicality than anything else, but was deported anyway because he failed to follow the rules regarding his initial deportation order. Anyway, to make a long story short, Grant was murdered in Jamaica last week at a bus station. Police believe he was targeted. Now his mother, wife and three children who live here, want his body returned to his "beloved" Canada so he can be buried, but there's some question of the legality of it, and who will pay for it. If you listen to Grant's wife and mother he's nothing more than a victim who loved Canada and loved his three children, but that tends to fall on deaf ears now-a-days because we get the same story about every thug who ends up dead. They were actually wonderful people who were in the process of turning their lives around and they had plans to become a nuclear physicist, a brain surgeon or an astronaut. There are those who maintain we should follow the rule of the law. If there are no provisions for a "deported" body to return to Canada then it should not be allowed. But in this case, I feel a bit of compassion. I say let the guy return. It's not like we have to worry about him committing any more crimes.
Category: Stuff
More Good Stuff November 5, 2007 @ 10:01
Stafford is the mid-morning host at am 640 Toronto Radio and as part of that gig he maintains a blog on the 640 website called Stafford's Irish Stew. If you look to the right of this website you will see the logo for his blog and if you click on it you can read what he has to say on any given day. On Friday, Mike wrote a good piece on a current issue that is being handled in the typical Canadian way, by a woman who is reacting for no other reason than to justify her existence. Please take the time to read Mike's posting, and make sure you go there every day for things of similar interest and quality. Category: Stuff
Neighbour John Update November 5, 2007 @ 10:00
The picture is of John with Doug Gilmour at a charity due in the Distillery District last Thursday night - and the video is of John giving his wonderful wife Alison a Halloween gift last Wednesday. What a man. How many men give there wives a present on Halloween? The rest of us can only take the example and use it. Category: Neighbour John
Today On The Bill Watters Show November 2, 2007 @ 10:42
The Leafs play in Jersey tonight so that will be the main focus, but we'll touch on some other things like the Argo's quest for first place and the huge NFL game this weekend between Indianapolis and New England. We had a few laughs yesterday. I found out that Bill once slept at Bobby Orr's condo, and that Bill loves his steak medium rare at Bigliardis. Medium rare with mushrooms. Please listen if you can - 4pm - 6:30 - am 640 Toronto Radio.
Bottom Line November 2, 2007 @ 10:41
A buck-five dollar and cross border prices were too much for them to resist this close to Christmas so they loaded up the car and head for Cheektowaga with the intention of staying there for 48 hours. Forty-eight hours gives you an exemption of four hundred dollars and in Buffalo, using the loonie that goes a long way in biting into your Christmas list. As they left part of me felt a little guilty thinking of them driving past so many Canadian malls on their way to a foreign country, but it was quickly wiped away as I thought about something I wrote a couple of weeks ago. It's the era of bottom line baby. It's why so many companies don't think twice about laying people off these days. It's why so many companies give the two people the job of three now-a-days. It's why full time people are reduced to part-time people so corporations can avoid paying benefits. Its bottom line baby and it should apply to all including the Patterson family. We sat down and did the math, much like highly paid executives would and we determined that spending four hundred dollars in Buffalo would be better for our bottom line than buying the same amount of merchandise in Canada. It may sound cold and calculated and fly in the face of being a good Canadian, but we've been conditioned over the past few years by those who run our economy. Bottom line. That's all that matters. Category: Stuff
Today On Am 640 Toronto Radio November 1, 2007 @ 09:47
I'll love hosting this show. It's great to work with Bill, it's fantastic to sit in the old MOJO studio's and it's exhilerating to walk the halls and see so many people that I consider family from all those fabulous years at the Edge. Please listen if you can. Call in if you can. Category: Radio
Thank You Sir November 1, 2007 @ 09:46
Colton is four, which is prime time for trick or treaters. Yesterday at about 6:15 the first kids came to my door and it was two little kids about five and six with their mother. Turns out they were the only "kids" who came to my door. After that there were some ten and eleven years olds, but for the most part most of the kids I serviced last night were big kids, really big kids. I know they're growing them bigger these days but I had trouble connecting these kids to age and size. When I was young fella the cutoff for Halloween was grade eight. It was tough to take but that's just the way it was. Last night I had many kids who came to the door who were taller than me and had deeper voices than me, if these people were 13 and under, then maybe we should take a long hard look at additives and what's the water because something just ain't right. I will say one thing however; all the kids that came to my door last night were extremely polite. The words "thank you sir" never sounded so good. Category: Stuff
Party Time November 1, 2007 @ 09:45
If it tells us anything it tells us how hard it is to break party lines, especially Liberal lines, regardless of the issue. Bingo Bob nailed it when he wrote, "only in Canada would people complain about a tax cut, it's insane." Right you are Bob but when it comes to the anti-Conservative movement in Canada there's no explaining anything. In possession of a bizarre attitude that maintains they have a god given right to govern, Liberals refuse to give an inch on anything when it comes to Conservative policy. On the flip side, I'm sure if the situation had been reversed and the Liberals had slashed a point off the GST it would have been widely accepted by Conservatives. Most Liberals would disagree but I truly believe it. It's amazing who people can take something like a tax cut and proceed to write a comment on how it's no good and doesn't serve any purpose and deeper income tax cuts would have been a better option. But you can bet your ass if the Harper Conservatives had dramatically slashed income taxes on Tuesday, the same people would be crying about the disadvantaged and the poor and how the Conservatives only care about the rich. It really is nauseating but more than anything else it's sad. It's sad because it means we could be robbed of good government over the next few years. The Liberals had a good run. Thirteen years of no competition, scandal and back-tracking on the very issue that got them elected in 1993, the GST. But for some reason liberals refuse to give an inch, and as many of the comments from yesterday's posting reveal, they insist on resorting to the predictable scare tactics that are quickly growing tired. Stephen Harper has a hidden agenda. He's in bed with George Bush and he doesn't care about the environment. Meanwhile, all he does is run a good, steady and sensible government. Category: Politics
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Here's a fine example of how to get your way in Canada 2007. A Toronto District School Board meeting had to be shut down last night because a few people in attendance didn't like the agenda.
Kevin McGran has an interesting 
Today I'd like you to visit Paul Romanuk's blog. Paul is a good friend but he doesn't like my politics.
I paid a visit to Toronto Mike the other day. He wrote a piece about Toronto councilor Rob Ford and it was a case of backhanded support.
Quite the response to yesterday's posting "
We get word this morning that the Toronto District School board has released yet another "
What a shame that for the first time in a long time Canada has been blessed with a strong leader but we don't appreciate it.
There's going to be something very interesting take place in the United States over the next couple of months and it could have a huge impact on who becomes the next President.
I was listening to the John Oakley Show this morning and he played a clip of Toronto Mayor David Miller responding to the weekend of death.
Give Michael Bryant credit for actually going to the town of Caledonia, but it look like nothing will come it.
Forget the Maple Leafs dismal record of only eight wins in 24 games, forget the fact they're 14th in the eastern conference and don't appear to be coached very well or managed very well, the problems go way beyond that and they were blatantly exposed in the 
On Saturday morning I received an e-mail from my old colleague Neil Morrison aka Brother Bill bringing my attention to a posting on a popular radio website.
Should the behaviour of a father affect the future of his son? Should a young man be prevented from joining the Armed Forces because his dad was once part of a biker gang with a criminal record?
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the people at Standard Broadcasting and Corus Entertainment for giving me the opportunity to host the Bill Watters Show several times over the last couple of months. 
A couple of sports notes from the weekend. Although the actual Grey Cup game was a little on the weak side, the week long event was well done.
And what about our Maple Leafs?
I'll be honest, I almost didn't bother to write this posting because it involves some people in the broadcasting industry who I admire, but after giving it some serious thought, I just had to.
Just so you know, I'm still doing bits every Monday and Wednesday on the Hawk and the Rock.
After the Bill Watters Show on Thursday night I decided to stay downtown and soak up some Grey Cup atmosphere. 
It was mid-afternoon November 22nd, 1963; I was sitting near the back of Miss Werenga's grade two class at Ionview Public School in Scarborough.
I used to watch Beverley Hills 90210.
Neighbour John checked in with an excellent point regarding yesterdays 
Here's a name from Toronto's radio past. Brother Jake.
I admit, when it comes to sports sometimes I can get emotional and exaggerate, but I've gotta tell you, yesterdays performance by Michael Bishop in the Eastern Final has to be one of the worst I've ever seen.
I hope the hundreds of people who protested the taser killing of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski feel good about themselves.
I'll admit, I'm a bit of a skeptic when it comes to recycling. Sometimes I wonder if all the things in my blue box, green box and grey box all end up in the same big hole when I'm not looking.
He's a very sweet man and he loves what he does. 
You know how the saying goes, you can't fire 23 players, and that's why I think its time the Toronto Maple Leafs take a long hard look at the coaching methods of Paul Maurice.
He did it. I've been 
I think everyone should take the opportunity to visit Paul Romanuk's blog today. Romanuk moved to London, England with his wife a couple of years ago and has enjoyed a solid free lance career as an international sports correspondent.
My goodness gracious me, Jiri Tlusty's pecker sure caused a lot a traffic to move through FreddieP.ca yesterday.
An old friend checked into Freddiep.ca this week. It's George Bryson who worked at Barries CKVR-TV before joining CFTO in the 90's before heading back to Barrie.
You're going to be hearing about Leaf rookie Jiri Tlusty today. 
Meanwhile, talk about a coincidence. This story about Tlusty happens during the same week that Breakfast With Scott will be released.
A follow up to yesterday - apparently Shaun Avery is preparing to launch a lawsuit against the Fan 590.
Quite the reaction to yesterday's posting 
Much like the Brian Mulroney affair, it's tough to accuse Sean Avery of anything until all the facts are in, however there is solid indication that he stepped over the line Saturday night at the ACC.
Here's another indication of the mind set of Canadian commerce when it comes to gouging the shit out of us.
There a thousands of federal government employees disrespecting Remembrance Day today.
Dear Fred; I shall remember your Grandfather Sunday when I conduct a small service at the cenotaph in Niagara Falls. Our town holds the service in the arena. I'm convinced that the local politicians don't want to stand out in the cold, even though the Vets in Ottawa and Toronto have no problem. This will be my 20th year standing with my friend Russell Sanderson (Derek's Uncle). Russell was a sniper with the Black Watch of Montreal. I noticed him standing alone at the Cenotaph those many years ago while on my way to the arena. "There was no bloody arena over my head when I was standing in a trench over there!" He said. I was convinced. I've downloaded all the proper music and we play it at 11 am, complete with readings of "The Ode" and "In Flander's Fields". I print programs and hand them out to the 40 to 50 people that now stand with us. I'm encouraged by the number of children that show up too. I always have flowers for them to lay on the cenotaph. I just wanted to let you know that I intend to "Take the Torch and Hold it High" and carry on to my last breath.
If you have a Canadian $10 bill, look at the back right side of the bill and you will see an old veteran standing at attention near the Ottawa war memorial.
I'm sure some will argue he did it to improve his image, to buffer his battles with the NHL, the Quebec Nordiques and the Philadelphia Flyers, but in the end you can't argue with the most generous gesture ever by a Canadian athlete.
The Lindros retirement made me think back to an episode of Mr. Goohead. It was back when Eric was going through some concussion problems and battling the Philadelphia Flyers about the treatment he got.
My wife and I were watching Oprah the other night and her guest was the show's medical expert Dr. Oz.
I heard a report on the radio this morning that left me scratching my head. A "left wing think tank" (that was the description in the story) has determined that the poor in Canada are carrying more of the tax burden than the rich.
While sitting and watching the latest Maple Leaf debacle against Ottawa last night I had a hockey fantasy.
It was a fascinating day of talk radio in the city yesterday. The reaction to the proposal for black only schools in Toronto was met head on by those who actually care and just like the schools would do, the reaction only served to divide.
There were three things in the local media over the past couple days that I recommend you read or listen to.
His name is Rick Loewen, but if you're familiar with Toronto radio you probably knew him as Ripkin and he was probably the most popular host of the short lived MOJO Radio.
It was just three weeks ago that the voters of Ontario overwhelmingly rejected segregated schools but here we are with the issue on the table again.
I've had the pleasure of working with great people over the years and one of those is 
The strike by the Writers Guild of America won't affect this fella. 
Here we go again. We're supposed to feel bad for another one of those wonderful sons and fathers who just happened to have a wrap sheet longer than your arm.
I've told FreddieP.ca readers many times over the past couple of years what a fan I am of Mike Stafford's
Just in case you've been wondering what the jolly old bugger has been up to lately, check this stuff out. 
My house was full of women last night and this morning. My wife and a few of her friends got together for an evening of food and laughs and then got up this morning and headed for Buffalo.
Just a reminder I'll be returning to host the Bill Watters Show on am 640 Toronto Radio between 4pm and 7pm today and Friday.
This is Dan Duran's son Colton. He also belongs to his mom Jackie and last night he went out for Halloween as a spy, although I'm sure I didn't have to tell you because it's obvious.
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