Freddie P's Blog

March 28, 2008 @ 17:16

Tomorrow night I plan to be at Dan Duran’s with several friends to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Dan’s wife Jackie is recovering from recent surgery, so we plan to buy dinner at a good Thai restaurant and take it over the Duran house to save sweet Jackie the work.

And apparently we’re going to be observing Earth Hour, that silly pile of shit that some over-reacting tree hugger came up with.

According to those in the know, if everyone was to turn off their lights in Southern Ontario at eight, the power surge when all the lights were turned back on at nine will waste more energy than was saved by turning them off.

Personally I have no time for this nonsense, but it’s not my house and if the Duran’s want to do it, then I have no problem eating by candlelight.

Category: Friends

March 28, 2008 @ 17:15

"Hey Fred - do you still feel that "Top to bottom the Leafs are better
then the Habs"?

Jason

Absolutely, that's the tragedy of the situation.

The Habs have won just a hand full more games than the Leafs this year, simply a case of good luck versus bad, and breaks going for one team and not the other. The Habs are flying high in a weak conference.

Once the playoffs start it's wide open in the east, one vs eight included..

If the Leafs had made it, they would have been competitive, every bit as good as the Habs.

I know, easy for me to say now, but that's what I believe.

What I find more amusing is how all the Hab fans have come out of the wood work after ten years of being inferior to the Leafs. Too funny.

And don't bring up the Stanley Cups.

The Habs haven't won won in 15 years.. its ancient history now.. and they won't win one this year either, and next year they'll probably settle back and find their real talent level.

Category: Sports

March 26, 2008 @ 10:08

The Leafs and the Ontario budget.

Category: Radio

March 26, 2008 @ 10:07

If only the Leafs hadn’t blown that two goal lead late in the third period of a game in Carolina back in January. If only they hadn’t done the same thing in Tampa Bay a couple of nights later.

If only they hadn’t crapped out during that western road swing in late January. If only they’d won a couple of those games.

If only. If only.

Problem is, when it comes to the Leafs it gets tiring because this is the third year in a row they’ve played dumb hockey during the regular season only to turn it on much too late and fall just short of making the playoffs.

It's tiresome, but it's the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A badly managed, and badly coached hockey team that doesn’t seem to be able to improve one year to the next, and thanks to this seasons pointless late season surge, they’ll find themselves in the same old situation.

In the middle of the pack, not good enough to make the playoffs, but not bad enough to secure a top notch draft pick.

I really don’t have a snappy ending to this posting or a resolution for what ails the Leafs.

We can anxiously await the arrival of a new general manager and hope that he works the magic necessary to turn this mess around. But as Leaf fan you can count on only one thing.

Aggravation.

Category: Sports

March 26, 2008 @ 10:06

When I first heard they were going to make the "Don Cherry Movie", I thought, what's the use.

We already know all we need to know about the guy. He's been in our living rooms every Saturday night for the past 24 years and he didn't hide much.

We learned what the guy was all about, and more. Or so we thought.

But it runs out this CBC project could be worth while. The script was written by Don's son Tim it deals with Cherry's life prior to Hockey Night in Canada.

The early years, his life in the minors and how it affected his family.

Tim got to offer some insights that other script writers wouldn't, and he got to take some privileges that Don probably wouldn't have OK'ed from somebody else.

Apparently there are some scenes that are downright embarrassing.

Category: Show Biz | Sports

March 26, 2008 @ 10:05

I’m thrilled to see that Freddie Savage is going to get another kick at the sit-com can.

He failed with something called “Crumbs” in 2006, but this time it’s sounds a little more promising.

Savage will play the lead male role in the pilot for “Single White Millionaire” about a rich guy in this 30’s who wants to settle down.

It’s been a tough go for Savage since “The Wonder Years” went off the air in 1993.

It was a superb show that ranks right up there with Seinfeld on my list of all time favourite television shows. It might even surpass it.

The Wonder Years was fantastic, but admittedly got a little awkward as Kevin Arnold grew older and lost his little boy looks.

I still watch the show on re-runs because it nails my childhood to a tee. The show began in 1988 and lasted until 1993, and it was set exactly twenty years prior.

When Kevin was 16 in 1972, so was I.

The Wonder Years was remarkably relatable and I have to admit, I get a heavy heart when ever I’m flippin’ through the channels and I hear this.

Category: Sports

March 25, 2008 @ 09:17

I sit here in utter disbelief this morning as I read that Toronto could make a bid for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Who the hell cares about the Pan Am games, and what makes anybody think the city in its current state could even begin to organize something like the Pan American Games.

I was against the Olympics coming here for all the obvious reasons, and I’m even more against something as pointless as the Pan Am games.

Can you image the current city council, which still has three years to run on a current mandate, having anything to do with putting this together? They can’t even pose for a goddamn picture let alone handle millions of taxpayer’s dollars that will probably get sucked down the shit hole.

It’s the exception to the rule to make money off these sporting events. They usually leave the host city licking its wounds as they count their losses while blurting bullshit about how wonderful it was to have the eyes of the world focused on us for two weeks.

Forget it.

The Pan American Games? Instead of looking for ways to host the Pan Am games, the country should be looking for ways to back out of the Beijing Games.

Category: Stuff

March 25, 2008 @ 09:16

If anybody wonders why hockey has such a crappy reputation in the States, all you have to do is look at this video.

Whenever I’m in the States I’m amazed at how hockey is ignored by the sports media down there, including the big boys, ESPN.

Hell, some nights I listen to ESPN radio on the Fan and you don’t hear the word hockey mentioned until the Fan does its own 20/20 updates.

There are exceptions however.

Whenever there’s a juicy fight, hockey gets noticed. Americans will ignore the fineness and skill and speed of this game, but give them a good fight and hockey makes the news.

That’s what happened yesterday after Patrick Roy’s imbecile son followed the instructions of the weird old man and embarrassed the game world wide.

For this reason, hockey will never be taken seriously in the States.

Category: Sports

March 25, 2008 @ 09:15

I’m not surprised to read the latest from the Brenda Martin case.

First of all, let me say I’m getting a little sick of her demands from that women’s prison in Guadalajara. We understand she’s upset and at her wits end, but when you start ripping new assholes for those who are trying to get you out, it gets to be a bit much.

Last week after Conservative MPs Jason Kenney and Rick Norlock paid a visit, Martin accused them of grandstanding. Wanting nothing more than a photo op.

That’s not going to win you any friends Brenda.

But it probably doesn’t matter anyway, because it turns out the Mexican government could be holding Martin for ransom.

Apparently the guy Martin worked for in Mexico, Alyn Waage, agreed to pay the judge and the prosecutor half a million dollars to let him go.

They did, but somehow he skipped out on the five hundred thousand before fleeing to Costa Rica.

The whole thing stinks, yet at the same time it makes sense.

You couldn’t help but think there was more to this story than meets the eye, and money pretty much explains it all.

The corrupt and disgusting Mexican judicial system is owed some cash and they ain’t letting go until they get it.

Category: Stuff

March 24, 2008 @ 10:11

Sunday morning as I hid Easter eggs all over the house, I wondered how much longer this would go on.

My kids are 22 and 25, but every year my wife still buys them a whack of chocolate eggs and I hide them in same places I’ve hid them since we moved into this house.

It seems a bit weird to hide eggs for people who often come down the stairs the morning after the type of Saturday night most young adults enjoy.

They’re hung over.

But my sweet wife Delyse insists we keep doing it because to her it’s got nothing to do with age, but everything to do with tradition.

Your kids grow up so fast it makes your head spin, and there are only so many things you can hold on to from their youth.

They’re establishing their owns lives and even though they still live under the same roof you hardly see them

They don’t play organized sports anymore. There are no more singing lessons or dancing lessons or days at Wild Water Kingdom.

The only thing you’ve got are days like Christmas and Easter, so you keep treating them like kids, those little kids you so dearly miss.

Delyse says one day they’ll both be gone, and I’ll be wishing I could hide those eggs just one more time.

True man true.

Category: Family

March 24, 2008 @ 10:10

This story definitely won’t help those Canadians who are already addicted to gambling.

A Woodbridge woman won 8.9 million dollars on a slot machine at Casino Rama yesterday, and all it will serve to do is give hope to all those poor bastards who visit Ontario’s casinos when they simply can’t afford it.

It’s a growing problem that’s ignored by government as more and more Canadians face financial ruin as they chase a dream that’s heavily weighted against them.

And you can’t compare casinos to tobacco and alcohol when it comes to taxing vices.

Tobacco and booze were around long before medical science had any idea how harmful they were to you health, and once the tax base was established it was almost impossible to back track.

Casino’s are relatively new to Canada and the harmful side affects were no secret to those politicians thirsty for a new revenue stream.

Personally, I can’t stand the goddamn places.

Category: Stuff

March 24, 2008 @ 10:09

How would you like to be one of the parents in Kingston who had to go through this bullshit?

Yet another high risk sex offender is released into the streets and then threatens a group of kids playing basketball.

He threatened to cut their heads off.

It’s another one of those things in Canadian society that drives you nuts. You know its wrong, I know it’s wrong, and if you polled every bloody politician in Canada, they’d probably agree its wrong.

But for some reason we continue to go easy on sex offenders and allow them back onto the streets.

Some day the parent of one of these innocent kids is going to kill one of these perverts and it’ll be fascinating to see how our courts handle it.

Something tells me, we won’t like it.

Category: Stuff

March 24, 2008 @ 10:08

It was refreshing to hear my buddy Bill Watters say what had to be said on the John Oakley Show this morning.

Mats Sundin should be kept out of the Leafs lineup as long as this team is on a roll. And Watters is a huge Sundin fan.

But let’s face facts folks, this is a better hockey team without Sundin in the lineup, but that’s not to say it’s the captains fault.

For some reason with Sundin out of the lineup the younger Leafs lift their game and play like the players we always hoped they’d develop into.

If Sundin comes back there’s great danger that Stagan and Steen will get less ice time and fall back into the roles that’s kept their growth stunted over the past few years.

In the 1999 playoffs the Leafs played great without Sundin in the lineup and then fell apart when he came back.

In 2002 against Carolina, same thing, the Leafs were well on their way to knocking off the Hurricanes until Sundin came back.

Let’s learn from past history. Let’s hope that groin tear hasn’t healed yet.

Category: Sports

March 21, 2008 @ 12:35

I'm off to join my friends at CH LIve at 5:30 for a frank discussion of "pantsing".

What is "pantsing?"

Read this story and you'll get an idea.

A 15-YEAR-OLD JAMES CITY COUNTY BOY IS FACING A SEXUAL BATTERY CHARGE FOR PULLING DOWN THE PANTS OF A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL OVER THE WEEKEND, JAMES CITY POLICE SPOKESMAN MIKE SPEARMAN SAID. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 7 P.M. SATURDAY ON DEHAVEN COURT IN THE LAFAYETTE SQUARE APARTMENT COMPLEX. SPEARMAN SAID THE BOY APPROACHED THE GIRL FROM BEHIND WHILE SHE WAS TALKING WITH A FRIEND AND PULLED DOWN HER PANTS IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE. HE THEN FLED THE SCENE, BUT WAS LATER TURNED IN AFTER POLICE CONTACTED HIS MOTHER. POLICE TOOK THE TEENAGER INTO CUSTODY SATURDAY EVENING AND HE WAS DETAINED AT THE MERRIMAC JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.

WHILE IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE A HARSH REACTION TO A CHILDISH PRANK, "ANY UNLAWFUL TOUCHING IS AN ASSAULT," SPEARMAN SAID. SEXUAL BATTERY IS A CLASS 1 MISDEMEANOR - PUNISHABLE BY UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL AND A $2,500 FINE FOR ADULTS. HOWEVER, THE 15-YEAR-OLD'S CASE WILL BE HANDLED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I say major over-reaction.

CH Live at 5:30

Category: Television

March 20, 2008 @ 09:31

My sweet wife and I had words last night.

It was a heated argument over the Barack Obama controversy and how much he should be held accountable.

There’s part of me that wants to cut the guy some slack. I don’t think he should be pulverized for the words of his Pastor, but my wife disagrees.

“He’s running for President of the United States” said Delyse. “It changes the rules.”

Delyse thinks if Obama had political aspirations he should have disassociated with this guy long ago and the fact he didn’t makes him pretty stupid.

What Jeremiah Wright said was way over the line and it’s ridiculous to think that Obama wasn’t aware of it, and disgusting to think that he’d continually sit in a pew year after year listening to Wright's crap.

“And what about his young daughters” asked my sweet love dot. “Have they sat there and listened to all that venom about white people? What kind of impression has it had on them? Why wouldn’t Americans start to have doubts about Obama and what he really stands for and thinks?”

Good questions to which I only had feeble come back.

Category: Family | Stuff

March 20, 2008 @ 09:30

One of my favourite CFNY artists from the 1980’s was Carol Pope.

Carol and Kevan Staples formed the band Rough Trade way back when, and their album Avoid Freud still ranks as one of my favourites of all time, with High School Confidential being my favourite song.

One time many years ago, I saw Carole at a bar and while she was singing Crimes of Passion she tweaked her hard nipples through a white blouse. She wasn’t wearing a bra.

I thought that was very cool and only added to the mystique of this professed lesbian in the days when lesbianism wasn’t as widely accepted, enjoyed and encouraged as it is today.

Back in the mid 80’s I was vacationing in Florida with my wife and while sitting by the pool I was playing Avoid Freud on a cassette deck when some kids from Philadelphia came over and asked me what I was listening to.

They loved it and later correspondence with them revealed the album was unavailable in Philly.

I made several tapes and mailed them down. Of course this was long before the days of I-pods, CD’s or anything digital.

2003 was the last time I saw Carole. It was the CFNY reunion at the Guvernment and Pope agreed to fly up from Los Angles as a thank you to the radio station that was the only one willing to play her music from the beginning.

She put on a great show and I stood front row centre stage, with enough beer in me to let loose and punch my fist into the air as she sang High School Confidential.

Carole decided to wear a bra on this night and she didn’t touch her nipples, so I did the next best thing and tweaked my own. It added to the moment.

Anyway, I mention all this because Carole Pope will be back in town this weekend performing with comic Elvira Kurt at Buddies in Bad Times.

I won’t be going because I can’t be bothered, but I still like her very, very much.

Category: Show Biz

March 19, 2008 @ 09:45

Category: Radio

March 19, 2008 @ 09:44

It was interesting to hear the reaction to Barack Obama’s speech yesterday. I’m not sure how much it accomplished because when it comes to the discussion of race, there’s always a big line drawn down the middle.

Those who support Obama liked the speech and those who want to see the guy brought down, found lots of reasons to criticize it.

Needless to say most black people supported what he had to say, and his decision to disagree with, but not disown Reverend Jeremiah Wright showed commitment and loyalty which I assume is a quality most people would want in a President.

But more than that, Obama’s point that the use of the Reverend’s sound bites in the manner they were, only perpetuates what’s wrong with America.

Too often race is used to divide and tear down.

That doesn’t make what Reverend Wright said any more acceptable, but he’s from a different era, a different mind set and and different experience and Obama can’t be held responsible for what he said.

In some ways Obama can be commended for not turning his back on someone who amounts to a crazy old uncle who deep down you love dearly. Most of the things Wright had to say were said long before Obama decided to run for President.

At this point it doesn’t really matter anyway. What’s done is done and now it’s up to the people of the United States to decide.

Category: Politics

March 19, 2008 @ 09:43

This time of year reminds of the good old days when my morning routine included writing a sports comment on the Edge and Mojo.

Every March I would become mildly aggravated by the NCAA Basketball tournament because I found the sudden interest to be disingenuous and no different than playing a government lottery.

Pool sheets would come out at most workplaces and everybody would be making their picks for a sport that virtually nobody paid attention to during the regular season.

There would be this storm of sudden devotion to something that wouldn't have gained a lick of attention if wagering wasn't involved. And that was played out by most of the people I knew who were involved in NC-double A pools because after making their picks they didn't bother to watch any of the games.

It's a lot like the NFL. A lot of people don't realize that back in the 1970's the NFL was actually struggling. The CFL was just as strong, as a matter of a fact, there was several incidences of CFL teams outbidding NFL teams for players.

But then along came the NFL office pool and everything changed dramatically, it became the strongest league in professional sport, again with a large following that never even bothers to watch their games. They just follow their pool sheets.

Hey, each to their own and whatever turns your crank, but I'm not a big fan of gambling in its most basic form, so having sporting events become bigger than they should be, only because of wagering, isn't something that's going to suck me in.

I won't be watching.

Category: Sports

March 19, 2008 @ 09:42

I received this response to the posting "Shelfish". This comment is not directed at me, more at other people who posted comments.

"Mr. Badesha has every right to ride his motorcycle w/o a helmet. It is
a civil right given under the canadian charter of rights and freedoms
under section 2(b)everyone has the freedom of religion.

Ps. If you hate the diversity and the multicultrualism maybe you should
leave. I heard the Americans are looking for ignorants like you. Oh and
if you don't want to take the plane then god damn take the bus."

Category: Stuff

March 18, 2008 @ 09:32

Back in 2001 I thought it rather odd that the International Olympic Committee would choose Beijing over Toronto for the 2008 Olympics.

After all, given China’s horrific record of human rights, why would you want to bring all the athletes of the world together in a country that oppresses its people?

I’m sure it was money.

I'm sure enough people within the IOC got thick brown envelopes which made their decision rather easy. Go into the communist country that brutalizes its people instead of coming to a place like Toronto, which if nothing else, is a model of racial harmony, human rights and freedom.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad the right people were paid off back in 2001 because I think bringing the Olympic Games to Toronto would have been a financial nightmare, only heightened by the whack job mayor and socialist council that currently has control.

But that’s not my point.

The IOC should never have considered China in the first place, and I find it deliciously ironic that there’s a growing call for a boycott this summer because of what’s going on in Tibet.

I’m not a fan of the Olympics so I could care less what happens this summer, but that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy the bullshit that will take place between now and then.

The IOC is suspect to say the least and too many athletes come from countries that encourage doping and cheating.

Doping and cheating that continues to take place because some of those countries actually pay people to find ways to stay one step ahead of the rules, and the Chinese are some of the worst culprits.

Therefore, to my mind the Olympics are a waste of time and the IOC’s decision to go to Beijing in 2001 only highlights what’s wrong with the whole movement.

If a boycott happens I’ll feel bad for all the clean athletes who have trained so hard, but that sorrow will be covered by laughter.

Category: Stuff

March 18, 2008 @ 09:31

If you’ve read between the lines on this blog over the past couple of months you’ve probably determined that I was pulling for Barack Obama in the Democratic leadership race.

Now I’m not so sure.

Obama will deliver a speech on race relations this morning, prompted by his association with his pastor Jeremiah Wright, and it better be a doozy if he wants to pull himself out of the big pit he finds himself in right now.

If you haven’t seen some of the sermon highlights delivered by Obama’s pastor of twenty years, you should.

Check them out on You Tube.

Wright is “way out there” and the finest example of a racist you'll ever find, and even though Obama is not responsible for what Wright says or thinks, he’s got to explain why he’s maintained an association with him over the past two decades.

As a man running for President, he’s just got to do it and then the people have to decide whether to accept it or reject it.

Like it or not, choice of association plays a part in this situation.

Meanwhile, it’s amazing how race keeps forging its way into campaign, even in Toronto.

I listened to the Oakley Show for a while and I was amazed at how many people who identified themselves as black, defended the words of Jeremiah Wright, claiming all he was doing was telling the truth.

Among the things Wright said:

The U.S. government "lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of colour."

Yikes

Category: Politics

March 18, 2008 @ 09:30

“Those who defend themselves have a fool for a client.”

I’m not sure if that’s the actual saying, but it probably describes Heather Mills after yesterday’s ruling by a London judge.

Looking for upwards of 250 million dollars U.S. in her settlement with Paul McCartney, Mills ended up with a paltry fifty million.

A nice deal considering that Mills had virtually nothing to do with the 1.6 billion dollar fortune that McCartney amassed over forty years.

But you have to wonder if she blew it by representing herself. Even though she was married to McCartney for only four years, historically a lot of women in similar situations have done a lot better than Mills did yesterday.

The upside is this.

Fifty million is more than enough for Mills to run off and hide for the rest of her life because in the world of public opinion, she’s become dead meat.

A greedy witch who tried to put her claws into money that she had no right to.

Even if she writes a book I don’t think anyone will want to read it.

Category: Show Biz | Stuff

March 17, 2008 @ 09:54

Category: Radio

March 17, 2008 @ 09:29

There are four federal by-elections today and although they all matter, I prefer to focus on the two in the land of the Liberal, aka Toronto.

It’s expected to be no contest in Toronto Centre and Willowdale where Liberals will romp to victory even though the party has done nothing but suck-out in opposition while contributing nothing to the country.

The Liberals claim to be a party of principle but they’re coming off 13 years of non-productive government while accomplishing nothing more than electing a milk toast leader who refuses to take a stand on anything when it really matters.

So afraid of going into a federal election, Stephan Dion and his wimp ass party have wasted several opportunities to bring down the Harper government, simply because they’re not sure they can win.

How’s that for leadership and integrity.

But it doesn’t matter in the Liberal Lagoon known as Toronto where people don’t vote with their heads, they vote with their past.

Who dad used to vote for, who led the country when the immigration flood gates were open, what party the Toronto Star has told them to vote for over the past few decades.

It’s hard to believe that Toronto maintains its liberal love-in when you consider the federal Liberals did absolutely nothing for the city during its rein of arrogance and corruption through the 90’s and early 2000’s.

It’s hard to believe that Torontonians are so freaked out by change, so sucked in by anti- conservative hysteria that they’ll line up like a bunch of flea bitten lemmings in two ridings today and vote for the same old shit.

On a municipal level Toronto is being destroyed by an NDP city council, and on the provincial level Toronto is being ignored by a gaggle of goohead’s who hold power through a legacy of lies.

The country needs to give the Harper government a clear man-date to govern, allow them to lead with strength and see where it takes us. It certainly can’t be any worse than the Chrétien years.

But in the end all that matters to Toronto is that Liberals aren’t Conservatives, so I guess the city deserves everything it gets.

Or doesn’t get.

Category: Politics

March 17, 2008 @ 09:28

I just listened to an emotional interview with Brenda Martin on the John Oakley Show.

A distraught Martin remains in a disgusting Mexican prison, another Canadian victim of a whacked out judicial system in a backward third world dump.

As it stands, the Liberals have taken a great interest story with former Prime Minister Paul Martin having visited Martin in prison, and Liberal MP Dan McTeague pushing from all sides for the Harper government to do something.

As I wrote last week, the Harper government should do something; The Prime Minister should make a statement about the welfare of Canadians in Mexico and the crappy treatment we’ve been getting over the past couple of years.

Having said that, don’t be fooled by the actions of the Liberals. This is the perfect opportunity for the opposition to make political hay.

It was kind of the former Prime Minister to visit the prison last week, but this shouldn’t open the door for the rest of the party to start hooting and hollering while placing unrealistic expectations on the current government.

It’s an emotional issue that has the sitting government caught between a rock and a hard place. Despite being extremely frustrating, diplomacy plays a part in this and you’ve got to believe if winning this women’s release was that simple, she’d be back in Canada by now.

Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier spoke with his Mexican counterpart on Saturday, but to this point, that’s about the extent of official government response.

It’s a touchy situation that has to be dealt with delicately by those in power; meanwhile its easy pickin’s for an opposition that had a dreadful record of Foreign Affairs while it enjoyed power under a bumbling fool named Jean Chretien.

Category: Politics | Radio

March 17, 2008 @ 09:27

My sweet mother-in-law phoned me on Saturday and she was quite excited to tell me something.

“Freddie! Have you got a copy of the Star today?!”
“Yes Joan, why?”
“There’s a good article in the “Idea’s” section that everyone should read!”
“What’s it about?”
“It’s called Multiculturalism’s nemesis and it’s very interesting!”
“OK, I’ll check it out.”
“You should!”

Let me explain, my mother-in-law is a very intelligent women, and whenever we get together she likes to discuss the state of the world with me.

I should also explain that she was born a “coloured” South African who now considers herself nothing but Canadian having lived here for 30 years.

She has no time for hyphenated Canadians, segregation, black centric schools or anything else that divides people.

And she especially has no time for people who come to Canada and use it for a few years before trotting back to their homeland.

Living under apartheid will do that to you.

As for my take on the article, I think Phillip's perception of what's going on in Canada is a little naiive, because the British warning signals are all around us and until people wake up and stop worrying about being so goddamn politically correct, we’re heading for the same trouble.

Category: Family | Stuff

March 17, 2008 @ 09:26

This may be terribly unfair but it’s a feeling I have.

Put in the same position as Mats Sundin on Saturday, I’m sure Dougie Gilmour would have played against the Buffalo Sabres.

Let’s review. The Leafs had ten games to play and they trailed the Philadelphia Flyers by five points for the final playoff spot.

Sundin skated on Saturday morning and it was determined that although his groin wasn’t that bad, it would be better to hold off for at least a game to make sure he was fully recovered when he returned.

I don’t get it.

Now the Leafs are six behind with nine to play and there are three teams between them and the Flyers.

The Leafs couldn’t afford to screw around on Saturday night. Sundin should have been in the lineup even if it meant shooting him up with some kind of a wonder drug.

Sundin should have insisted on playing because losing Saturday meant the playoff run was all but over. And now it is.

So if Sundin returns tomorrow against the Islanders, what was really gained by holding him back for an extra game? It was an urgent situation but the Leafs, and obviously Sundin, didn’t treat it that way.

And now the playoffs are gone.

Dougie would have played Saturday night. So would Wendel and Darryl.

Category: Sports

March 17, 2008 @ 09:25

This is a picture of my buddy Doug. Even though it looks like it, he’s not dead. This is him asleep during a road trip to Michigan.

Doug is my longest and dearest friend. He moved onto my street when we were five years old and we’ve never lost contact.

At one point he almost became my cousin, and then several years later we actually did become somewhat related when Doug married Leverne, who’s my wife’s cousin.

Anyway, on Friday night we got together and had dinner at a place I’ve mentioned before, but a place I just have to mention again because Friday night may have been the best restaurant dinner I’ve ever had.

We went to "Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice Restaurant" at Queen and Leslie. It’s owned by the same people who used to own The Nose on Yonge Street, in fact they’ve moved the actual “nose” down to this location.

I consider Gio Rana’s an authentic Italian restaurant because I’ve been to Italy and it’s probably the closest thing to Italian food that I’ve experienced without having my ass parked in Rome.

Friday night I had the Involtini – shredded pork wrapped with rib eye steak and a glob of goat cheese and top with a thin gravy or sauce.

I won’t even begin to try and describe it because I don’t have the literally talent. All I can tell you is that it was fabulous, an interesting combination of tastes in a portion that wasn’t overwhelming.

I had started with the grilled calamari that is done to perfection at Gio Rana’s, and we also ordered a vegetable tray that featured new potatoes, sweet potato mash with chestnut butter, asparagus with gorgonzola and shredded brussel sprouts with asiago and pancetta.

What a meal. It was freakin’ fantastic and I highly recommend that you give this restaurant a try.

They don’t take reservations.

After dinner we went back to Doug and Laverne’s to witness the new addition to their house, a lovely sun room that includes a 47 inch plasma.

After pouring me a nice cognac Doug fired up the new TV and being a Beatles fanatic he chose one of his many Beatle-esc DVD’s to show me his outstanding resolution.

It was the “Concert for Geroge” put together by Eric Clapton in 2002 exactly one year after George died of brain cancer. I remember hearing of the concert, but I had never seen the DVD or really heard any of the music from it.

I’m always behind the times when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Anyway, it was fabulous and it featured appearances by Tom Petty, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. George’s son Dhani was also part of the mix and it’s remarkable how much he looks like his old man. At least he did back in 2002.

Also part of the show was Billy Preston who was often referred to as the fifth Beatle.

It was Preston’s version of My Sweet Lord that was my favourite part of the concert, and here it is.

If you haven’t seen it, take a few minutes to enjoy it.... if you have seen it, and your chuckling about how out of date this is, then piss off or watch it again.

Category: Friends | Stuff

March 14, 2008 @ 10:52

The actions of Ryerson student Justin Morris are indefensible, but sometimes passion makes us do stupid things.

Morris was upset that the University’s student union has invited former Black Panther Dr. Angela Davis and activist Maxwell Stanford Jr. to speak at the school, so he sent a dumb e-mail to union president Heather Kere who just happens to be black.

Morris, within his right, feels the Black Panther’s were an extremely racist group and he doesn’t think they belong in the school. No more than a "former" white supremest should be allowed on campus.

And we all know what kind of shit would hit the fan if that ever happened.

Again, Morris should not have sent the e-mail that was very accusatory and he plans to apologize for it, but he wonders why there’s no sensitivity when it comes to anti-white organizations.

And that raises another twist. Morris is the web controller for the Conservative club at Ryerson and his actions caught the ire of another group on campus group called “United Black Students.”

UBS was so pissed off they sent letters to John Tory and Stephen Harper demanding an apology from both Conservative parties and wanting somebody to officially kick Morris’s ass.

Just another day at Ryerson, but it begs for these questions to be asked?

Why can’t these kids just come to school, do their work and go home? Why is it so important to create divisive clubs while you’re supposed to be getting an education to prepare yourself for the real world?

Does the school really need a Conservative club, and does it really need a United Black Club. (United against what?) and is it really necessary to spend time and money on inviting former Black Panthers to the school if it rubs somebody the wrong way?

Sometimes I get the impression one group is created just to counter-balance another and that only leads to conflict.

Category: Stuff

March 14, 2008 @ 10:51

I’m just scooping this off the top of my head, but I’m beginning to wonder if prostitute Ashley Alexandra Dupre wasn’t behind the exposure of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.

She had nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

She may have commanded four thousand dollars a night as a hooker, but her like millions of other two bit wannabe entertainers who plague the world; she wanted to be famous for singing, not screwing.

Dupre is also a nightclub singer with limited talent but that didn’t stunt her dreams and it didn’t stop her from uploading a couple of her songs onto an inter-net music site on Wednesday night.

In other words she was using her new found notoriety to make a few bucks and get her music out there as fast as she could.

I’m sure that won’t be the extent of it either. She’ll receive offers to tell her story to countless magazines and TV shows and she’ll probably make lots of money.

But at the end of the day she’s got to remember, it all came not because she’s talented, but because she’s a whore.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Category: Stuff

March 14, 2008 @ 10:50

I almost hate to write this piece off the back of two Maple Leaf victories because it makes me look like a homer, but I’ve felt this way for the past few weeks, so I have to say it.

First of all let me say this. I don’t think the Maple Leafs are going to make the playoffs, and I think its almost funny how the tide of public opinion has so quickly turned around for the boys and now everybody’s behind them.

In the Toronto Sun this morning there’s an article featuring a business professor who’s calculated the Leafs chances, and not surprisingly, they’re not very good.

All you have to do is some basic math.

Having said all that let me say this. If the Maple Leafs stumble forward and make it into the post-season, and the Montreal Canadiens luck out and finish first in the Eastern Conference it’s going to be ugly for Hab fans.

Not only do I think the Leafs would knock the Habs out in the first round, I don’t think the series would go beyond five games.

From top to bottom the Maple Leafs are actually a better team than the Montreal Canadiens but that only adds to the aggravation of Leaf fans. And that’s not to say the Leafs are that good, far from it. It’s to say the Canadiens have played above their heads this year and have had virtually everything go their way in a very week Conference.

I’m not sold on the Canadiens because I think they’re a soft team that won’t fare very well once the rigors of the playoffs begin and I can see them being knocked out by virtually any of the teams that will slip into the final two or three playoffs spots.

You just wait and see.

Category: Sports

March 14, 2008 @ 10:49

Incredible Journey Details.

Hey Fred,

John

Category: Neighbour John

March 13, 2008 @ 09:38

It was interesting to see yesterday’s reaction to the remarks by Geraldine Ferraro about Barack Obama.

Ferraro intimated that a good measure of Obama’s success in the run for President is because he’s black.

Yea, no kidding.

Of course she’s been vilified from all sides for stating the obvious, but so it goes with today’s politically correct world. You’ve got to watch what you say, even if what you say is painfully obvious.

Ferraro’s right, Obama has benefited from being black but there’s nothing wrong with that. It used to be someone wouldn’t be considered because they were black, now it's gone the other way.

Talk about a major breakthrough.

Ferraro said Obama is “very lucky to be who he is, and the country is caught up in the concept”, and she’s bang on.

It’s all a question of timing and in 2008, on the heels of the United States being run into the ground by a goober, America is ready to consider anything, even something that’s perceived as radical by some, and Obama has definitely benefited from that.

The USA desperately wants to break away from the status quo and what better way to do it than this.

It’s awakened the youth vote, it’s changed the mindset of white America and needless to say it’s given hope to black America.

These are all wonderful things, but wonderful things that have come about for only one reason.

Barack Obama is black.

Category: Politics

March 13, 2008 @ 09:37

Mike Stafford is filling in for John Oakley on am 640 this week and he made a great observation this morning.

The newspapers in Toronto, and I’m sure through most of North America are jam packed with wild stories about Eliot Spitzer and the 22 year old prostitute who was paid upwards of five thousand dollars a night.

We’ve learned everything we need to know about Ashley Alexandra Dupre. Her hopes and desires her career aspirations and her troubled child hood.

Meanwhile, the real story has been ignored, the true inspirational aspect of the Eliot Spitzer controversy.

David Paterson.

On Monday he’ll be sworn in as New York’s next governor.

New York’s 55th Governor will be their first black Governor and he is legally blind.

Category: Politics | Stuff

March 13, 2008 @ 09:36

Human rights is one thing, but selfishness and baiting are another, and that’s why I can only shake my head at Baljinder Badesha.

He’s the 39 year old Brampton Sikh who last week lost an attempt to have a traffic ticket overturned for not wearing a helmet while riding his motorcycle.

A judge ruled that safety over-rules religion on Ontario’s roads so he was ordered to pay the 110 dollar fine.

It seemed like a reasonable decision because Ontario law calls for helmets on motorcycles and if you make exceptions for some, then the whole idea of fairness and equity through our court system goes out the window.

But that’s not the way it works in the new Canada.

Mr. Badesha plans to appeal the decision and fight for his right to not wear a helmet while riding his motorcycle.

I have to wear a helmet, and everybody else in the province who isn’t a Sikh has to, but Baljinder Badesha doesn’t think Sikhs should have to because his religion is apparently more important than safety, the highway traffic act and the very idea of equality in Ontario.

To be honest, as a citizen of the province I’m not too impressed. I get the feeling this has become a game for Mr. Badesha and it’s more an experiment on how far he can push, than it is a genuine desire to ride his motorcycle while respecting his religion.

It’s already been pointed out there are compromises to Sikh’s who are in similar situations. A smaller more streamlined head dress can be worn under a helmet, but that doesn’t seem to be an option that Badesha wants to consider.

No, he wants two sets of rules in Ontario and to my mind that’s just downright selfish.

Category: Stuff

March 13, 2008 @ 09:35

John and the boys went to the Black Hawks game in Chicago last night and the first thing they noticed was the noise, it was loud in the United Centre.

What made it even more impressive was the noise was deafening even though the building was a quarter empty. Such a thing is a real eye opener for a Leaf fan who hears relatively no crowd noise in a building that’s always full.

Carolina skunked the Black Hawks 3-0.

During the day John did what John loves to do while visiting new cities. He looks for the most famous bar.

That’s why he went to Green Mill Lounge. It’s where Al Capone used to drink during prohibition while planning his next massacre.

Apparently one of the slogan's for the Green Mill is "if these walls could only talk."

Believe me, if John let one or two of his famous "gassers" go, those walls have a lot more to talk about today.

Category: Neighbour John

March 12, 2008 @ 10:35

Category: Television

March 12, 2008 @ 10:34

Category: Radio

March 12, 2008 @ 10:33

Here's an example of some great radio.

I actually grabbed this with a cassette machine while sitting in my office last night in Brampton.

Jim Richards, one of the best broadcasters in Toronto was interviewing Punch Andrews of the MIX, who's losing a battle with lung cancer.

It was a fabulous hour of radio that took the listener on a roller coaster of emotions as Punch told his story of being diagnosed with this vile and disgusting disease at the youthful age of 42.

Towards the end of the show Punch explained what would be the hardest part of his passing.

Category: Radio

March 12, 2008 @ 10:31

I was never big on Paul Martin as Prime Minister of our country but I’ve gotta say I’m rather impressed with his intention to help get Canadian Brenda Martin out of a Mexican jail.

Martin is in Mexico City for economic meetings and he met with some guy who acts as Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs for the asshole of North America.

The former Prime Minister thinks Ms. Martin should not be in jail and he’s disgusted that she’s been held without charges for over two years. Good on him.

But it raises the question, what is the current Prime Minister doing?

If a Prime Minister does nothing else, he should at least stand up for the rights of Canadians and Stephen Harpers inaction on this issue has been disappointing to say the least.

Even if he can’t do anything directly, I think it would make all Canadians feel better if our Prime Minister spoke out against the treatment of Canadians in Mexico and threaten economic measures if things don’t change and change quickly.

But for some reason he won’t do it.

Harper keeps his mouth shout and wastes an opportunity to show some positive strength to those Canadians who can’t stand the guy.

Diplomacy is one thing, but watching your citizens get pushed around and murdered in a third world toilet is another.

Category: Politics

March 12, 2008 @ 10:30

Neighbour John and his boys arrived in Detroit a little later than they planned yesterday.

If you listen to any of the Conservative talk shows out of the States you know that border security is a big issue down there.

A lot of Americans are terrified of the Mexican border, but they also have their doubts about the Canadian border which they think is a gateway for Islamic extremists who are slipping into the country and then hooking up with Mexican farm workers to plan the overthrow of the free world.

Well maybe this will make them feel better.

Neighbour John and his three boys were stopped in their Suburban yesterday and held for two hours at the border, the victims of a so called random check.

Hey, you can never be too safe, but sometimes you have to wonder about time wasted and what the real motives are.

Maybe it was something consistent with my own little story from last summer.

I was at Pearson Airport and going through the X-ray scanner when I was called aside and told I’d been selected for a “random” check.

It was no big deal, and being a law abiding citizen I took the attitude that security checks are made for the benefit of all so you live with it, but curiosity finally got the better of me and I just had to ask the security officer “why me?”

There were people of all shapes, sizes and colours to choose from, but he chose me and I just had to know what the criteria was – and here’s what he told me.

I looked like a pleasant fellow.

And when pressed to explain further he said this.

“You looked like the type of person who wouldn’t complain if I called you aside."

“You’ve got to be kidding?” I said.

“Nope”

It made me lose a lot of faith in the system and feel a little less safe on the airplane, but I guess it made for one less accusation of profiling and as we all know, that’s all that matters, right?

By the way, John and the boys saw the Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 last night.

Category: Neighbour John

March 11, 2008 @ 12:00

I'll be joining my good friends Mark Hebscher and Donna Skelly at CHCH Live at 5:30 this afternoon and we’re going to talk about New York State governor Eliot Spitzer.

This guy is quite the package, providing so many angles to look the situation, including the part that wives play.

How can they stand there and show support for their slime-dog husbands when they’ve been humiliated in front of the world?

It’s downright disgusting.

I have more thoughts on the subject in the next posting.

Category: Television

March 11, 2008 @ 11:59

There are exceptions to every rule, but I think it’s safe to say, to be a politician you have to have a certain level of confidence and a good dash of arrogance.

How else can you explain the actions of New York State governor Eliot Spitzer?

He’s definitely not stupid. He went to Princeton and the Harvard Law School, so he’s got brains and a high level of intelligence, but political arrogance got the better of him and allowed him to do something unbelievably stupid.

Here’s a politician who ran on a platform of law and order and high moral ground, ironically he even wiped out a couple of prostitution rings over the past several years.

But like a lot of politicians (not all) he played the people for fools and thought he could stand behind his good guy image and his position would protect him from everything.

He rented hookers that cost 43 hundred dollars a night by using a high class prostitution ring, the very thing he fought against in public. He went into hotels under assumed names and apparently requested to do unnatural things (up the bum) all the while going to great lengths to project the image of Mr. Clean.

Talk about violating the trust of the people and thinking you’re way above the laws of the land. It’s pathetic, but more than that, it’s cruel.

Spitzer has a wife and three daughters and one of his last hotel flings was on February 13th, the night before Valentines Day.

How’s that for extra insult to his family?

The man is a skunk and if I was a citizen of New York State I’d be awfully pissed off that the hypocrite didn’t resign yesterday.

Category: Politics | Stuff

March 11, 2008 @ 11:58

How much more evidence do Canadians need before they stop going to and supporting the shit hole known as Mexico?

The story of Brenda Martin should be enough to halt all tourism from Canada to that corrupt third world junk yard south of the United States.

Martin has got sucked into a money laundering scheme that she obviously had nothing to do with, which has been supported by two affidavits from the guy she worked for.

But that’s not good enough for the Mexican justice system which seems to relish jumping on foreigners to set examples to the world. And believe me; I use the term Mexican justice system loosely because there is no justice in Mexico.

It’s a scummy, contemptuous, generally unsafe destination for Canadians with a corrupt government, supported by a corrupt policing which often includes that big friendly security guard walking around your resort.

What is it going to take for Canadians to wake up?

Category: Stuff

March 11, 2008 @ 11:56

Last March Break I wrote about Neighbour John and the incredible hockey journey he took with his boys through Montreal, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

John’s a good daddy and eventually he’d like to take John Jr., Jake and Ben to every rink in the NHL. And that’s why today he left for Detroit where tonight they’ll catch the Wings against the Chicago Black Hawks.

Tomorrow they’ll get up and drive to Chicago where they’ll see the Hawks take on the Carolina Hurricanes.

On Thursday night they plan a stop in Sarnia so the boys can have a first hand look at Steve Stamkos. The Sting plays the Erie Otters.

Just like last year I’ll keep you posted.

Category: Neighbour John

March 11, 2008 @ 11:56

Hey Freddie,
I guess I have always wanted to tell you that I first heard you with Pete & Geets. It was then that I started paying a little bit of attention to sports because of you. Prior to that I could not have cared less, but there was something about the way you delivered it that made me take note.
I was a CFNY die hard for years, starting with Dave Marsden. All my radio dials were stuck permanently to 102.1 so when you and Humble were the morning guys, I couldn't start a day without listening to you. I even recorded some of your morning stuff to take with me on an extended stay in Boston because I couldn't stand the crap they yakked about down there.
Anyway, I guess I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful memories and so glad I happened to catch John Derringer mention your site on his show.
So, long time Fred. Best of luck with any of your new adventures.
Ruth

Freddie!
It was awesome hearing you on Q with JD last week. I tuned-in on Thursday, and my husband listened to it later in the weekend. It was like the good old days, and I became very wistful. I sent a note to Q and basically told them they would get more female, thirty-something listeners (and some pretty hot ones at that!) if they had you on-air more often.
Love ya…and hang in there, pal! - Dorenda

Category: Stuff

March 11, 2008 @ 11:55

Since my visit to the Derringer Show last week I've received several requests for this bit from several years ago. It was produced in response to play by play man Jigs McDonald who one night referred to Mathew Schneider as the only Jewish player in the NHL.

Category: Audio | Fun Stuff

March 11, 2008 @ 11:54

Do yourself a favour and make sure your sitting by the radio tonight for the Jim Richards Show on CFRB.

Jim’s guest will be MIX 99.9 jock Punch Andrews who’s in a vicious battle with lung cancer.

It’s not good, Punch is in "stage four advanced."

But Punch will join Jimberly at eight o’clock to talk about his situation and hopefully raise awareness. It should be compelling radio.

The Jim Richards Show. CFRB – Weeknights 7-10 pm.

Category: Radio

March 10, 2008 @ 08:40

Category: Radio

March 10, 2008 @ 08:38

Listen, as an unemployed man who am I to question the abilities of others, but I have to say the Cassie Campbell experiment should come to an end.

Cassie’s a sweet heart and she done a lot of woman’s hockey not only in Canada, but around the world.

She’s from Brampton too, which makes this posting that much harder to do, but Cassie just doesn’t have the right stuff when it comes to broadcasting.

I find her appearances on Hockey Night in Canada painful to watch. I feel embarrassed for her, because she’s been thrown into a situation that she really isn’t ready for.

Maybe she’ll get there one day, because it really isn’t rocket science, but until she can at least add some inflection to her voice and display a little more personality, she isn’t doing herself any favours by appearing on the countries most popular television show.

Her work as the colour person in the broadcast booth was flat, but her pre-game rink side interviews aren’t any better.

It ain’t workin’ folks.

Category: Sports | Television

March 10, 2008 @ 08:37

Hey ya buggers, try this one.

On Saturday I felt like some banger and mash so I put brought out the bag of potatoes and thanks to my sweet darlin’ of a wife came up with something you’ve just go to sample.

Take about eight Yukon Gold potatoes and wash them thoroughly but don’t take the skin off.

Cut them in quarters and boil them in salt until soft.

Mash them with a potato masher, not an electric mixer, this way they remain a bit chunky but not too chucky.

While mashing add a cup of Kraft Three Cheese salad dressing and a half stick of garlic butter. (the stuff you buy with garlic already in it)

You can dick around with an add more dressing and butter if you want, but I’ll tell you something, this freakin’ recipe is kick ass good.

You want to spread it on the floor and roll around in it naked.

Category: Fun Stuff

March 10, 2008 @ 08:36

Category: Fun Stuff | Video

March 10, 2008 @ 08:35

We recorded this song in 1987 and it "blows" me away how people have never forgotten it and always request it when we get lots of snow.

Category: Audio | Fun Stuff

March 9, 2008 @ 07:20

Category:

March 7, 2008 @ 08:48

I’m not going to pass judgment on any of these stories because I’m sick and tired of it.

I’m sick and tired of the abuse that’s been inflicted upon the word “racist” and how its use has become so convenient for those who want to stifle opinion and debate.

From now one, I’m going to compile news stories that deal with racism and put them all together. You can read them and decide for yourself.

I'm going to create a special "raciscm" column in my archives, so I urge all FreddieP.ca readers to send along any stories you see about racists because they really should be exposed so the world can see what an awful country Canada is.

As for the Rob Ford story, John Derringer probably put it best yesterday when he said,

“Now you can’t even compliment someone on working hard without being called a racist.”

Sometimes the world can chew my hog.

Rob Ford is a racist.

The CBC is racist.

Gordon Gilchrist is a racist.

The Department of Justice is racist.

Category: Racism

March 7, 2008 @ 08:47

For a country that considers itself the greatest on earth, the United States sure has a screwed up way of choosing Presidential candidates.

Listen, I think it's great that the vote goes to the people. The average Joe should be able to decide who the leader of his party is, but holy cow, do they have to stretch it over two bloody years.

In Canada, I'm not so big on a system that sees only a select few decide who leads our respective parties. I actually prefer the American way.

But for cryin' out loud, condense it people. Stretching primaries and caucuses over several months does nothing more than confuse and divide. It really is stupid, but it will probably never change because Americans would never entertain the thought that that they could actually do something stupid.

Why would you want a system that creates war within a party before you even get to a general election? Why would you want a system that allows candidates to be dissected way beyond reason simply because the media runs out of things to talk about?

Why not get it get it over with quickly. Hold primaries and caucuses but have them all happen on the same day or during the same week after a brief campaigning period.

Let the people decide but expedite the process because the current system, under today's media, does nobody any favours.

Given the current system, whereby candidates are butchered beyond reason, you have to wonder how many quality people choose to stay out of it.

Category: Politics

March 7, 2008 @ 08:46

My 80 year old mother sent me this touching story.

"My grandmother died in the 50s, but her birthday is coming up, and that always causes me to reminisce.

Category: Family | Fun Stuff

March 6, 2008 @ 15:30

I really don’t know where to begin.

Not only did John Derringer have me on his show today, he gave me close to nineteen minutes of air time and it was a lot of fun.

Not a bad little boost for FreddieP.ca, which by two o’clock this afternoon had more than quadrupled its regular traffic. No wonder they call it the Mighty Q.

Today will break all records for FreddieP.ca

Derringer was fantastic. He recommended we do the rapid fire thing and it couldn’t have worked out better. I felt prepared and extremely comfortable considering how long I’ve been away from the morning show thing.

John Derringer is a pro, which explains his huge ratings.

I can’t begin to tell you how great it felt to get up this morning with somewhere to go, how enjoyable was to drive downtown with a radio station as the destination, to go up the elevator and soak in the atmosphere, to sit behind a microphone and do what I love to do.

It truly was a fabulous day and it didn’t end at nine o’clock. I didn’t leave the building until almost noon, spending the better part of three hours catching up with several old colleagues.

There’s a good bunch of people down at One Dundas W, and I really do miss them.

Over the past few days I’ve received several requests from people wanting me to post the audio from this morning Derringer Show because they weren’t going to have the chance to be in front of their radios.

Well here you go. It’s in three segments. Simply click through them.

Category: Radio

March 6, 2008 @ 15:29

I left the house this morning about 6:15 because I didn’t want to risk a traffic screw up that would make me late. I got downtown about seven o’clock, but I wasn’t scheduled for the Derringer Show until 8:35.

I grabbed a coffee at the Eaton Centre then popped my head into the Edge to say hello to the Blundell Show.

Jason Barr is my neighbour you know.

Dean, Todd and Jason greeted me warmly and then sat me down in my old chair and turned on the microphone. Impromptu they welcomed me back to the studios and let me plug my appearance with Derringer.

I don’t have to tell you what it thrill it was to find myself back on the Edge as well. It just added to a great day.

Here’s the audio from the Edge.

Category: Radio

March 6, 2008 @ 15:28

I hope the Canadian Football League doesn’t spend a lot of time wondering why it has a credibility problem with fans, especially young ones.

Can you imagine Eli Manning being traded by the New York Giants?

That’s basically what the Saskatchewan Roughriders have done by trading quarterback Kerry Joseph to the Argonauts.

Not only did Joseph lead the Roughriders to the Grey Cup, but he was named the leagues outstanding player – and for that he gets traded.

The CFL’s number one problem over the years has been it’s lack of team continuity, players move around too much which makes it hard for teams to build up a following that spreads across the league.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m an Argonaut fan and I’m thrilled Joseph is coming to Toronto, but from a league standpoint, its bad news and an extreme insult to the fans of Saskatchewan.

Apparently the Roughriders were forced to trade Joseph because of his financial demands, but as far as I’m concerned that’s no excuse and it doesn’t help the leagues image.

Saskatchewan has some of the best attendance figures in the CFL, so what does it say about the league if Riders can’t afford to pay their marquee player three hundred thousand dollars a year?

It says the league will never be taken seriously.

Category: Sports

March 5, 2008 @ 10:52

Category: Radio

March 5, 2008 @ 10:52

Not that I’m complaining, but its been quite a while since the whacked out goof balls from the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty have done their thing.

Yesterday they converged on city council with more misdirected concern that shut down business for over an hour.

This time they were barking about Robert Maurice, who was found frozen to death in a downtown stairwell last week. No doubt a terrible tragedy, but far from a case of homelessness and government neglect that OCAP claims it is.

Apparently, Maurice had a rooming house, so police are trying to piece together why he was found in the stairwell and what the cause of death was. It doesn’t appear he was a starving victim with nowhere to go.

But the facts don’t stand in the way of OCAP who like to shit disturb whenever they can, while attempting to make successful people feel guilty for looking after themselves.

I heard a few sound bites from city council and it was the usual crap.

OCAP spokesman Gaetan Heroux, thought it was perfectly acceptable to disrupt city business, but found it totally unacceptable for police and security to attempt to remove him.

“Get your hands off me” could be heard on tape as I’m sure Heroux deep down was hoping chaos would erupt because that’s the way OCAP likes to operate.

Meanwhile, the city claims there are more than enough hostel beds in the city and routes right back to the problem the city has always had. A lot of so-called homeless people don’t use them, and the reason they don’t use them is because there are mental illness issues.

And that takes us back to the long standing issue of forced shelter which goes counter to the beliefs of OCAP and Toronto's left leaning council.

When the temperature plunges to a certain level, the city should have the right to drive around in cube vans and literally scoop people off the streets to protect them from themselves.

It might prevent some frost bite and at the very least, put some of those hostel beds to use.

Category: Politics

March 5, 2008 @ 10:51

Last week provided a great example of how the media handles news along partisan lines.

The George Smitherman story went away pretty quick didn’t it?

The Health Minister of the Province in a condescending and insulting manner offered to wear adult diapers in response to the shameful neglect that’s going on in Ontario’s old age homes.

This smart ass prick offers to wear a diaper to check its absorbency so he can better judge what the provinces elderly are going through, and he gets away with it.

A week later it’s a non-story. It’s more or less gone away. The only updates I’ve read are that’s he retracted the offer. But that’s it.

I can only image what the reaction would have been if Smitherman was a Conservative.

It would still be front page news, especially in the Toronto Star, and there would still be calls for his resignation from every half baked socialist group in Ontario – and it would be a feeding frenzy for the Liberals.

But when it comes to the media in Canada, but especially in Ontario, there are two sets of rules and this issue magnifies it.

Even if Smitherman made the offer with the best of intentions, which I don’t think he did, he would still be involved in a major controversy if he was Conservative.

It seems to be the mind set of this province that we want Conservatives to be heartless, we want them to be uncaring and there’s significant cooperation from the media.

Meanwhile, the most untrustworthy and deceitful government this province has ever known gets a free pass.

Category: Politics

March 5, 2008 @ 10:50

Yesterday I wrote a piece about Oprah and how I watch her show most every night with my wife. It’s a bonding thing.

Well last night may have ended it for me.

Dr. Oz in one of her recurring guests and last night he came onto the show after swallowing a pill-cam. A pill that’s a camera and shows all your innards before you poop it out.

But that wasn’t the problem. The problem was Oprah.

Over the course of the conversation Oprah told everyone that she gets constipated when she takes too much calcium. That was it for me, I left the room.

Call me crazy, but the thought of Oprah sitting on the throne trying to force one out isn’t what I’m looking for when it comes to entertainment.

I’m one of those people who like to use the home-throne, and one who gives the courtesy flush when he can’t.

Back in the days when I was employed I wouldn’t go into a stall if someone I knew was in the next one. As a matter of fact, when I worked at One Dundas, I’d go down one floor to Canada Post where I could sit all by myself without anyone ever coming in.

(There you go Corus people –check it out)

I’m the first to admit I’m a bit of a hypocrite. When it comes to flatulence and the fun it can create and I’m all for it, but when it comes to actual movements I become an introvert.

When I florch, I’m caught somewhere in the middle.

But back to Oprah, I really think I’m done with her because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get the image of her dealing with constipation out of my mind.

I once saw a picture of her without make-up and that was hard to get out of my mind, now I’ll I can see is her without make-up and eyes bulging while she tries to make a poo poo.

Lord liftin’ Jesus.

Category: Show Biz | Stuff

March 4, 2008 @ 19:12

Category:

March 4, 2008 @ 10:00

Not a very good day for the Liberals.

When the Chuck Cadman story broke last week it seemed a little odd based on the fact a million dollar life insurance policy had been offered to a dying man.

Anyone with a brain had to ask the question at that point – who sells a life insurance policy that covers a man with terminal cancer?

That’s why I was hesitant to comment on the story before getting more of the facts, and yesterday we got more of the facts.

Cadman’s wife Dona claims she asked the Prime Minister point blank after her husband died whether he knew of an insurance policy bribe, and PM denied it.

"He looked me straight in the eyes and told me he had no knowledge of an insurance policy offer. I knew he was telling me the truth; I could see it in his eyes," said Cadman.

It also explains the bogus telephone call the Liberals have been trying to use against the Prime Minister. In it, Stephen Harper tells author Tom Zytaruk that Cadman had refused an offer from two members of the Conservative party, but it wasn’t an offer of an insurance policy Harper was referring to, it was an offer to rejoin the party.

"Chuck liked, respected and trusted Stephen Harper. I like, respect and trust Stephen Harper. If I didn't believe in my heart, that he was telling me the truth. ... I wouldn't be running as the Conservative candidate for Surrey North," said Cadman.

That was another burning question that begged to be answered all weekend.

If Stephen Harper was such a rotten and ruthless guy why would Dona Cadman be interested in running for the party?

This was a non story from the get-go and if an offer was made, it was made by a couple of over-zealous party members without the knowledge of the Prime Minister, but what makes even this angle lose steam is the fact that Chuck Cadman refused to name anyone before he died.

Nice try Liberals, now shut-up, there's a country to run.

Category: Politics

March 4, 2008 @ 09:59

Needless to say once Oprah Winfrey latches onto something and mentions it on her show, it becomes a huge smash hit.

Her book club has made instant millionaires out of several people, and on many occasions these books have landed in our house.

Like millions of other women in the North America, by wife Delyse is an Oprah fan. Not an Oprah fanatic, just a fan. From time to time, Oprah’s vanity and false sense of worth can get on Delyse’s nerves – and mine too because I often watch Oprah with my darlin’ as a bonding thing.

Anyway, the latest addition to our library is Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.”

Oprah claims the book has changed her life, although why a billionaire who turns anything she touches to gold would want to change her life is beyond me.

She’s probably full of shit but that doesn’t sway the Oprah lovers who hang off every word she says and run out and buy anything she endorses.

Delyse bought the book for me, and I think she bought it for the same reasons she bought me “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff’ by Richard Carlson about ten years ago.

My sweet wife is the most patient, understanding and compassionate person I know, and I can honestly say that would be backed up by anyone who knows her.

The problem is, I’m quite the opposite of my lovely and every so often she gives me subtle hints on improving my mindset and outlook on life. Delyse doesn’t buy into my theory that pessimism leads to pleasant surprise, while optimism often leads to disappointment.

And I guess that’s why I received “A New Earth.”

Delyse did some research and she’s convinced this book would be good for me and she really wants me to read it, and I will.

As soon as I finish “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.”

Category: Stuff

March 4, 2008 @ 09:57

I was listening to Derringer this morning and John mentioned this story about crotch grabbing, or bag adjustment or pecker placement in Italy.

Apparently it’s been a big problem in Italy with historical ties to superstition and death.

Italian men like to grab their fellas when a hearse drives by as a method of warding off the grim reaper. Whatever.

John went on to predict that such a law would probably find its way to North America, and that concerns me. Can you imagine having to be always conscious of touching your gems?

There are so many things that come into play, underwear, sweat, hair and chafing.

Size plays a part as well. A guy with a shorty that sticks straight out must go crazy having his pecker head take the full brunt of day to day life.

And what about guys who’ve been cursed with a big fella?

It’s not all its cracked up to be and to think occasional adjustments would become unlawful is downright ridiculous and scares the shit out of me because it would seriously affect my bocce game.

Category: Radio | Stuff

March 3, 2008 @ 08:50

Category: Radio

March 3, 2008 @ 08:49

I met Jeff Healey back in the 1980’s and I was immediately drawn-in by his attitude.

He was extremely positive for a guy who to my mind should have been extremely frustrated. I thought wow, the guy’s good looking, he’s got endless talent, but he’s blind, it must drive him nuts.

You never got that impression from Healey who not only lived with his handicap, but he spit in its eye and became one of Canada’s foremost blues and jazz musicians.

Yesterday, at St. Joseph’s hospital, the cancer that took Jeff’s eyesight before his first birthday, finally took his life. I’m sure the tributes will poor in today from people that who are a lot more qualified than I am, so I won’t go that way with this piece.

Instead I’ll question how one person is chosen to suffer so much pain.

Jeff Healey enjoyed a successful career and was loved by millions, but he had to deal with things that most of us can’t begin to appreciate. Imagine being blind as child, overcoming the handicap to become an exceptional musician, then to be cruelly cut down by a vicious disease before your 42nd birthday.

I’m sure if given a choice Healey would have traded his success for just one glimpse of his wife and two children.

In situations like this I really wonder about who makes these decisions.

I’m not much of a believer. I’d like to believe, I want to believe, it would be nice to believe.

But when it comes to situations like Jeff Healey’s, I can’t believe.

Category: Show Biz

March 3, 2008 @ 08:48

One life ends, another begins.

I got a nice note from Jeff Domet yesterday, announcing the birth of his second child, a boy named Ryan Christopher.

Jeff is also known as Chicken Shwarma from his days working with us at the Edge.

Mother Michelle and child are doing well, but I know Jeff, although bursting with pride yesterday he must have had a heavy heart.

Ryans middle name came from Shwarma’s beloved brother Chris who like Jeff Healy was cut down by cancer long before his time.

Congratulations everybody!

Category: Friends

March 3, 2008 @ 08:47

On Friday I mentioned that I'd be traveling to the outskirts of Milton to guest on a podcast called Leafs Central at Lunch.

It was a farm house at the end of a long lane and I was greeted by five great guys, a nice young woman and a three legged dog.

The dog gave me shit, Laurend gave me smart food and the guys, Chris, Wayne, Brian, Jamie and Dave gave me beer - although they weren't too happy with having to buy Bud Lite.

If you've got an hour to burn, check it out.

Category: Radio | Stuff

March 3, 2008 @ 08:46

Category: Fun Stuff

March 3, 2008 @ 08:45

Category: Fun Stuff | Video

March 1, 2008 @ 10:40

Over the past four decades the Toronto Maple Leafs have a done a lot of things that have been insulting to their fans.

To dissect and name would take too long, but thanks to their incompetence it can be summed up rather easily with four numbers. 1967.

But of all the screwy things they’ve done, this has to rank right up there with the worst.

Leaf management has ordered all reference to Bill Watters be taken out of the ACC because they think he’s too critical of them on his radio show.

None of the posters or banners or billboards that referenced the Watters show inside the building had anything critical written on them, it was just promotional material, but the powers that be, and you know who that is, decided they should be removed.

It’s the usual buck-passing, MLSE claims it was a decision makes by “marketing people”, but that’s a load of hooey. I’m sure it was made by a few incompetents at the top who can’t stand to be criticized.

In a way, this is a mild form of communism. Stifle the critic by snuffing the messenger, and I find it hard to believe that of all the problems they have, this seems to have taken priority.

I’m sure very few people who sat in the ACC and looked at Bill Watters Show promos made the connection to his criticism of the hockey team, but now that management has brought attention to it, everybody will know.

It’s very Peddie, er petty.

Category: Radio | Sports