With the Vancouver Canucks continuing their seemingly inexorable march to the Cup, and the NHL returning to Winnipeg, all would seem to be well. But in a world of killer vegetables, where Michael Moore and Conrad Black are back in the news, it doesn’t pay to take anything for granted. Hope for the best. Plan for the worst.
The outbreak of E.coli bacteria that devastated Europe has been tracked down to organic bean sprouts grown in Germany. Now, this isn’t funny, at least 22 people died and thousands were made ill. But it’s irresistible to point out that one, the Germans first tried to blame imports from Spain; and two, next time you’re told to eat organic veggies, this is what you point to.
Disgraced tycoon Conrad Black apparently treats prison like his own personal home. U.S. government documents reveal that Black treated fellow inmates like servants, getting them to clean, cook and iron for him. I understand why this works for Black, but what do these inmates get out of it? Has Black promised them jobs as journalists?
Michael Moore has weighed in (so to speak) in support of Brigette DePape, the Senate page who held up a Stop Harper sign during Friday’s throne speech. Moore called on Canadians to “bring out their inner hockey stick” and oppose the Conservative government. And hey, he did offer her a job, which, for obvious reasons, DePape is currently in need of.
In American political news, Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, is expected to announce his presidential candidacy. I mention this because Santorum’s candidacy would mark the first real test of Google’s political power. I can’t explain why on a family website like this, but just google “santorum” and see what you get.
Feeling the pressure to buy an iPad? Just think of the 17-year-old boy in China who sold his kidney to buy one. On that note, you might want to catch South Park’s iPad episode.
For those dozen or so people in Toronto who haven’t yet gotten tattoos comes an incentive beyond peer pressure. Toronto’s Public Health board will decide on Tuesday whether to require tattoo and piercing parlours to obtain licences from the city. Currently, only hairdressers and barbers need licensing, although, judging from some of the coifs on display in the city, we’re wondering if that system could use some tightening up as well.
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THE IDLER
Film School Thesis Statement Generator
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LOCAL
Bad news, hopefully temporary, for film lovers in the Annex. The Bloor Cinema is closing at the end of June for renovations, and there is currently no word on when or if it might reopen. Enjoy it, and support it, while you can.
The late Jeff Healey, one of Toronto’s favourite musical sons, was honoured by having a park in Etobicoke named after him. Healey died in 2008 after a long battle with cancer. But his music can still be found on his CDs and, less memorably, in the endless reruns of Roadhouse on various channels.
More proof that Toronto drivers just plain suck. A local driver managed to drive into a neighbour’s house, causing severe structural damage, while attempting to park in his own driveway. How, I don’t know. Maybe he saw a cyclist in that neighbouring house.
For those hoping for compensation from the city for damage caused by raccoons, bad news. The city is too broke. It’s probably the raccoon’s fault we’re broke in the first place. Damned animals, can’t live with them, can’t beat them to death in your backyard with a shovel.
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THE LAST
If you think that the world’s problems can all be solved through cupcakes, apparently British spies agree with you. The Brits hacked into an al-Qaeda website and replaced instructions on how to make bombs with ones on how to make cupcakes. Although, on second thought, do we really want terrorists on a sugar high?
