tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73239242012-01-07T00:50:53.837-07:00Five of FiveSkepticism, Politics, Atheism, the Arts, Canadiana, Technology, Dark Humour.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.comBlogger5481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-77748484537989448922011-11-30T01:06:00.001-07:002011-11-30T01:34:31.284-07:00Alberta Legislature: Scumbags, Holodomor and Property RightsThere was a debate in the Legislature today (29 Nov 2011) regarding landowner property rights. There is no doubt that at least 4 of the bills passed in the Stelmach era went too far by removing basic landowner rights, eliminating public consultation and removing the appeal process.
Wildrose MLA Paul Hinman was talking in circles about the evils of these bills, when he veered off into an analogy Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-47378445774345837822011-11-22T16:33:00.001-07:002011-11-22T16:36:23.383-07:00Amazon Gift Giving
Amazon's product page for Pepper Spray is getting seriously owned right
now. I didn't know Amazon sold Pepper Spray. It's not really funny, but
it's good to see people react to such a poor recommendation for
Christmas shopping.
via the Political Carnival
Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-2823870576409387722011-11-15T00:11:00.001-07:002011-11-15T00:33:21.252-07:00Hijacking Penn StateAs if the tragedy at Penn State wasn't bad enough in and of itself, people with unrelated axes to grind are now using it to get attention.
1. A spokesman for an anti-gay hate group blames gay men and homosexuality for the alleged sexual assault(s) at Penn State. By repeating the old lie about how pedophilia is linked to homosexuality they managed to suck up a considerable amount of media Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-61358080719686661882011-11-13T15:54:00.000-07:002011-11-13T15:54:31.773-07:00Two Canadian ArtistsDoris McCarthy was a Calgary born visual artist and author, but spent most of her life in Scarborough Ontario. She had a bit of a thing for icebergs, which is fine by me because I love northern landscape art. Pictured below, Iceberg Fantasy #40.
Kananginak Pootoogook (1935-2010) was an Inuit artist who worked in etching and stone sculpture. Pictured below Five Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-6479949004373471272011-11-13T15:44:00.001-07:002011-11-13T15:47:57.266-07:00Polanski's 'The Pianist'
A very good movie. Mostly based on the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman a classical pianist who managed to survive the Warsaw Ghetto and the holocaust. Parts of the story came from Roman Polanski's childhood memories of Poland during the war. These type of movies are so heartbreaking.
Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-91254690648137936322011-11-10T00:39:00.000-07:002011-11-10T00:40:16.079-07:00
"I promise to eliminate some important Government agencies whose names escape me right at the moment. " All the pundits I've been reading are saying this is the end of the line for the Hair from Texas. Time will tell, dumbness never rules anyone out of high office.
Krugram seems to think it's over, and references Molly Ivan. I remember her column about Perry a few years ago.Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-59407213099315400232011-11-10T00:34:00.001-07:002011-11-10T00:34:06.674-07:00Quote of the Day
“I grieve for the children and their families, and I
pray for their comfort and relief. With the benefit of hindsight, I
wish I had done more.” - Joe Paterno”
After learning that he and Penn State university President Graham Spanier were fired immediately over their handling of a sex abuse scandal.
CNN Story
Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-29660716848336265752011-11-08T23:36:00.000-07:002011-11-08T23:36:55.703-07:00What the Mayor Said
Story Here.Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-51227130014428341462011-11-08T00:33:00.001-07:002011-11-08T00:38:14.673-07:00How to Make Rob Anders Look SaneIn addition to being a part-time pollster, Dean Del Mastro is also an amateur bishop.Dean Del Mastro, the parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister, said on Facebook last month that it was “outrageous” the Catholic school board in Peterborough, Ont. had invited Trudeau to speak for a second time in three years. “If they are looking for a truly great speaker, who also happens to be Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-6859297291886062572011-08-09T14:37:00.002-06:002011-08-09T14:40:33.441-06:00Harper's Undiplomatic BehaviorCanadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is on a trade mission in Brazil right now. He caused a bit of a diplomatic problem by acting like a five year old. Here is my rough translation/paraphrase of the story as reported in a Brazilian Newspaper.
The Original is here.
Title: Canadian Prime Minister goes to the bathroom waiting for demands to be met.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-49889941496037234472011-06-22T16:09:00.007-06:002011-06-22T16:21:23.698-06:00Should University Athletes Get Private Chaplains?Via Pharyngula:The University of Iowa is using University funds to hire a Christian chaplain to minister to the needs of the school’s football team. It’s not hard to see how patriotism, athleticism and religion all get stirred into the same pot. It’s a potent cocktail as well as a huge industry. An online poll at a radio station asked viewers if they favoured the University creating this Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-24649951473590770842011-06-09T16:03:00.005-06:002011-06-09T16:30:34.372-06:00Minnesota Archbishop: Opposing Marriage Equality Is Not Anti-GayVia ThinkProgress:Archbishop John C. Nienstedt: “The Minnesota Catholic Conference, made up of the seven Catholic bishops from the state, support this amendment not for prejudicial or political reasons, but rather for reasons that are theological, biological and pastoral.”(Original news item.)Lets assume for a second that the Archbishop's homophobia is not born of prejudicial or political reasonsRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-27433737344631948132010-12-18T01:07:00.010-07:002010-12-18T01:29:47.385-07:00December 18This is not the type of thing I usually write about, but...This is one the few photos of my dad that I have, standing outside the Alberta Legislature in his RCAF uniform. Hard to say what the year is, or how old he is. I barely had any time with my father, and never got to know him at all. On a blistering cold December 18th day he died, and that was it. The memory images of that day are bizarre Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-55179011184506805262010-12-15T22:24:00.019-07:002010-12-15T23:11:01.503-07:00Life is Bigger than PoliticsNews was released today that former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein is suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is a horrible disease that has no cure and robs the body and brain of oxygen. It doesn't have good outcomes.It got me thinking about people in politics, their legacy, and the way political biases sometimes get in the way of appreciating simple issues of life and death and Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-63352481024865143212010-12-10T21:30:00.021-07:002010-12-10T22:20:05.187-07:00Consequences in Lala LandWhen I read stuff like this, I fill with despair and even fear.These men crave followers and attention so they offer cures for everything, but with next to no professional skill or credentials to deal with mental health problems. To make it worse, emotionally incapacitated people are taught not to question the Church's authority, and to believe in miraculous cures that never occur. It's Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-43892759369141398102010-12-03T15:48:00.005-07:002010-12-03T15:55:15.099-07:00Open Letter to Dr. Elizabeth CannonPlease consider faxing or emailing this open letter to University of Calgary President Dr. Elizabeth Cannon. This is regarding Dr. Flanagan's comments on CBC re Julian Assange. I recommend including your own cover letter with your own thoughts to minimise the perception of spamming.Also, please be respectful, she is not responsible for Dr. Flanagan's comments.Contact Info:Fax: 403-289-Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-49761600712863529022010-12-01T23:27:00.022-07:002010-12-02T15:06:47.824-07:00Flanigan: Diminished ExpectationsI'm still taking in the Tom Flanagan's comments about assassinating Julian Assange. What amazed me about the comments was how casual and glib they were - as if another man's sub-judicial, illegal killing was academic. The snicker chilled me.He apologized the next day for his glibness and said the right things about the rule of law, due process and so on, but these things sometimes take on a lifeRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-14760721755900261602010-11-30T02:01:00.010-07:002010-11-30T02:14:22.119-07:00The FutureCanada's new Governor General David Johnston aims a C7 assault rifle at the perception that the Monarchy is archaic and ridiculous. For the next while it will be all about guns, soldiers, hockey and cheap donuts. I Miss the Haitian lady.Photo via Globe & MailRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-67124558919178873302010-11-28T21:42:00.006-07:002010-11-28T21:56:18.049-07:00Sunday Night MarxismGiven all I've been reading about wiki-leaks, I can't help but thinking we would have been no worse off with Rufus T. Firefly as our leader. We've always been at war with Sylvania.That and the unbelievably quiet revelation that former Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor was the de facto CIA station chief in Tehran under the Joe Clarke government.Come back Mrs. Teasdale, we need youTwitterRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-35605681116932659652010-11-27T19:00:00.010-07:002010-11-27T21:53:27.548-07:00Holy Biased PollI realize website polls are primarily for entertainment and shouldn't be taken seriously, especially not on a hyper-conservative radio site.But this poll really stuck out as having a totally meaningless, poorly worded and biased set of choices.There is some context to this. The "bureaucrats" bad, PC Government good theme has been coalescing all week among partisan conservatives.The messaging willRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-19807250364615874402010-11-26T23:15:00.005-07:002010-11-27T02:14:07.145-07:00‘In Memoriam’ for murdered Mexican anti-mining activist refused by Calgary HeraldAccording to a press release from the Council of Canadians:An ‘In Memoriam’ classified ad to be run on November 27th on behalf of the family of murdered anti-mining activist Mariano Abarca Roblero has been called "unsuitable" by the Calgary Herald, though several other Canadian newspapers, including the Globe and Mail and the Edmonton Journal, have agreed to print it."We are confused about why Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-10617651751118879732010-11-24T22:21:00.009-07:002010-11-25T00:29:41.726-07:00Calgary Herald Opposes Basic DemocracyTo no one's surprise the Calgary Herald wrote an op-ed wholly justifying the Senate's vote down of Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act. It seems so twisted, to me I can only summarise it in point form:The bill would cause irreparable economic harm while at the same time mandating unattainble C02 reduction goals. Unattainable, yet catastrophic. Millions will end up out of work and Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-42561246798280032412010-11-24T09:45:00.000-07:002010-11-24T09:49:42.324-07:00When a Witch Weighs the Same as a DuckEd Stelmach's communication style is oblique and opaque most of the time. Opaque in the sense of being impenetrable by light. Today he all but confirmed that Stephen Duckett would be relieved of his duties as the Alberta Health Services CEO. At least that's what I read among the grimaces and incomplete sentences. I'm not surprised. Health Care is the most dysfunctional file in the Alberta Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-8086578185882348962010-11-22T19:24:00.017-07:002010-11-22T20:39:47.489-07:00Link Byfield "Resigns"Link Byfield resigned his position as one of Alberta's senators-in-waiting today. I was hoping at his press conference he might have explained why his friend Senator Bert Brown participated in a shady vote down of a House of Commons Bill, passed by an elected majority. It's extremely ridiculous that Bert Brown can never be removed from his position, which he was appointed to for life by Stephen Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-5135548539929562452010-11-21T23:52:00.003-07:002010-11-21T23:55:17.704-07:00Sunday Night CockburnI'm loner with a loner's point of view,I've always been a loner,Now I'm in love with youRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-74472861079463180612010-11-20T23:20:00.006-07:002010-11-20T23:24:31.110-07:00UN Endorses State Violence against GaysThe Social, Humanitarian Cultural Affairs Committee of the UN General Assembly has voted to remove reference to sexuality from a resolution which condemns the use of "extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions".Shame on the United Nations. And since it was a close vote, shame on those nations that abstained or didn't show up. I realize the UN has little real power, but these kind of Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-54873911519397865472010-11-13T11:08:00.002-07:002010-11-13T11:09:40.049-07:00Shortest Post EverI don't believe a single thing Stephen Harper says about Afghanistan.Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-34663621332347915652010-11-10T23:30:00.003-07:002010-11-10T23:34:56.644-07:00James Travers: Remembrance,CountryJames Travers is such a great writer. Here he says exactly what needs to be said, at a politically incorrect time.There are many things my father and uncle wouldn’t recognize. They wouldn’t understand a country where patriotism is partisan, where men and women in uniform are used as political props or where death and sports are shamelessly conflated on Hockey Night in Canada.Every year on Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-3268473399212629262010-11-08T14:34:00.005-07:002010-11-08T14:39:27.486-07:00Queer Ugandans ask Parliament for refugee assistance (Canada)Since when is it the role of a Member of Parliament to agree or disagree with someone's lifestyle choice. Someone please shoot me, I can't live in this country anymore.The Commons subcommittee on international human rights – part of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development – heard from the Pride Uganda Alliance International on the plight on queers in Uganda.HeRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-35937973037126731832010-11-06T18:24:00.000-06:002010-11-06T18:24:17.180-06:00Canadian Veterans National Day of Protest - Calgary Alberta(a lot of links below, hope they all work ...)
I attended the Canadian Veterans National Day of Protest this morning in Calgary. It was a good event on an unusually warm November day. I was disappointed that more Calgarians did not come out for this. After reading up a bit I was really shocked and saddened by how badly the current government has mishandled Veteran Affairs.
Here is a link to Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-47638047082766822932010-11-06T00:51:00.005-06:002010-11-06T01:12:38.180-06:00Health Care WAP Style.Here's a podcast of CBC Calgary's noon hour show today, featuring Danielle Smith talking about the Alberta Health Care system. It starts at around 25:40. Her critiques of the existing system are mostly right on. Everyone knows that the Stelmach government's management of the health care system is ridiculously incompetent. There are really no words to describe it. However the Wildrose/Fraser Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-48567119552009831362010-11-04T21:58:00.006-06:002010-11-04T22:27:27.444-06:00Prentice Abandons ShipWhat can you say about Jim Prentice? Widely regarded as a moderate conservative, well liked by fellow MP's and a well respected Calgarian. But also, a man with no influence or future in Stephen Harper's highly radicalized political movement.Two Prentice moments that stick out for me:1. Voting for same sex marriage. I believe that he was sincere in this vote, mostly alone among conservative MPs. Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-23723525400100374162010-11-03T20:00:00.005-06:002010-11-03T20:16:17.791-06:00Batman and the Birth of VenusIsabel Samaras is my latest guilty pleasure artist. It hits my spot because I love both pop art and classical art. This Batman and Robin piece works in so many ways.And then there was this homage to Bouguereau and all those birth of Venus paintings, using character from Gilligan's Island. Too much.Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-38465172909251421752010-10-22T00:56:00.003-06:002010-10-22T01:01:02.843-06:00Billy Connolly for Alberta Premier Welcome to the Committee to elect Billy Connolly as Alberta's Next Premier (CEBCANP).This must be an old video, and where do you get one of those Beetlejuice suits.I think he would make a great Premier. How could we do worse than what we have now?Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-81694864174047345982010-10-20T01:18:00.006-06:002010-10-20T01:45:10.229-06:00God's Word on the ElectionJim Blake is the Calgary based head of Concerned Christians Canada, an Evangelical pressure group with political ambitions. Jim is none too happy about the election of Naheed Nenshi as Calgary's new mayor.He starts off by quoting the prophet Hosea:They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. This verse is often quoted by dominion theology advocates. Democracy Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-71353232314058321192010-10-19T00:29:00.003-06:002010-10-19T00:37:15.155-06:00D-Bag of the Year AwardLink.Congratulations to Naheed Nenshi for winning the Mayor's job in Calgary. Now we know obnoxious conservatives can be defeated in Calgary. Next task: Alberta PC's.Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-11950264047440452672010-10-18T01:29:00.008-06:002010-10-20T13:51:56.401-06:00Calgary's Next MayorTomorrow morning I will vote in the Calgary Municipal election. I have not missed a municipal vote in Edmonton or Calgary since I have been an eligible voter. Some times I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing.I have been conflicted for a while about who to vote for mayor, but right now (12:30am) I am strongly leaning towards Naheed Nenshi. We have been led to believe that this is a threeRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-34980727017047745642010-09-22T23:03:00.003-06:002010-09-22T23:18:46.332-06:00153A quick thank you to the 153 Toronto Elitists who voted to discontinue Bill C-391. This vote was a smaller side-show in a broader battle that will no doubt carry over into the next election. For me the low point was the heckling of Scott Simms. This descent into ignorance has been around for a while and we will have to deal with it. Our political culture needs to change, one way or another.JamesRobert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-21769299634395777452010-08-07T20:31:00.004-06:002010-08-07T20:40:27.129-06:00ThinkAretha lays it out for Matt Murphy. The Best scene from a musical ever. The moral seems to be that if the boys show wanting to get the band back together, don't tell your SO.Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-85783952082010174952010-08-06T17:28:00.006-06:002010-08-06T18:00:01.461-06:00Destroyers of CitiesNear the end of Ray Bradbury's classic novel Fahrenheit 451 the main character, Guy Montag, leaves his city for the countryside and joins up with a band of exiled hobo/intellectuals. While sitting around a fire talking they see the sky light up as the city is destroyed. In Bradbury's imaginary future world there is never ending war and sudden destruction. The group's leaders Granger, has a Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-78199820331955845642010-08-06T17:20:00.000-06:002010-08-06T17:20:21.228-06:00Love Your EnemiesThinkProgress:After more than 30 years in business, the Fayetteville Women’s Clinic in Arkansas closed its doors on July 30. The clinic had more than 500 patients and was “one of only two places in the state where women could have a surgical abortion.” While it focused mainly on obstetrics and gynecology, it also performed 700-800 abortions each year.The Chief Physician of the Clinic, Dr. Robert McBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635243141745018756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-3371543543387319912010-08-03T13:48:00.018-06:002010-08-03T14:08:47.977-06:00IPhone ConsumerismA small lineup of 20-30 people wait for their chance to buy an IPhone, at the Apple store in Market Mall, Calgary.
It's hard to know where to start. The whole fan-person, lining up for gadgets topic is so broad and full of side issues we could be here for days.
As a technologist I love gadgets and electronics in general, however this perpetual culture of buy and re-buy as a means of keeping Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-46103206690378236652010-07-31T03:29:00.000-06:002010-07-31T03:29:08.033-06:00Interview With Rob AndersRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-17798485852496170212010-05-14T13:56:00.000-06:002010-05-14T13:56:52.177-06:00Welcome to Calgary West
Have a nice day.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-13616731137621368022010-05-06T01:44:00.001-06:002010-05-06T02:08:47.696-06:00Who's Suing Whom - Alberta EditionA 14 year old Alberta girl is being sued by a home owner after the home in which she was sitting went on fire. Fortunately no one was hurt but the house and the neighbor's house were damaged. It sounds like she's the scapegoat for the insurance companies who see no problem suing a 14 year old for $350,000. Sure she'll have to pay to defend herself, but I say saddle the girl with a 350K debt. Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-10951377712844387662010-03-23T22:19:00.002-06:002010-03-23T22:24:22.071-06:00Rights vs TacticsEarlier in the evening I was getting angry as reports began to emerge about Coulter's speaking engagement at the University of Ottawa being cancelled. To be fair, the earliest reports were kind of hysterical, citing a violent mob of 2000 protesters. I should have known better than to take certain social media streams seriously, especially in the early stages of a story. After all, I'm a Gemini Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-38964745398846108492010-03-23T00:59:00.001-06:002010-03-23T01:06:30.752-06:00Buy a Condo Screw a Waitress
This is a Condo ad in Calgary. Somebody posted it in my Twitter stream today. If you can't read the text:
A $20,000 downpayment is easier than scoring on a 4 minute 5 on 3. And way easier than scoring with your waitress.
Yeah. Great marketing. This must have come from the creative class that I keep hearing so much about. Also I think it's down payment. I'm not sure I ever would have found thisRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-50179966124635242622010-03-16T00:17:00.001-06:002010-03-16T00:22:21.899-06:00Springsteen is a Classic.Normally, I wouldn't blog about someone like Glenn Beck. As a Canadian I find him kind of a waste of time. Probably most American's do too. For most people who are reasonably intelligent these kind of people are low value targets. Sort of like Monte Solberg or Charles Adler if you need a Canadian reference point.
However, attacking Bruce Springsteen and his iconic song Born in the USA struck a Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-83452391518255382552010-03-14T22:26:00.002-06:002010-03-14T22:32:58.355-06:00The Twisted Narrative of Calgary West (Redux)Poor Donna Kennedy-Glans has been reduced to writing 3 paragraph op-eds in the Calgary Herald, bemoaning the fact that Rob Anders is the preferred CPC candidate in Calgary West and not herself. Throw in a gratuitous and probably offensive reference to the Berlin wall and you have yourself a real howler. And yes, of course the euphoria of the Vancouver Olympics means that all Canadians want her Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-12809912477769117172010-02-21T13:54:00.001-07:002010-02-21T13:56:10.372-07:00Violence Against Women is not FunnyMaking the rounds on Facebook and Twitter is another sad attempt at humor.
Read this blog post go to the Facebook page, click Report in the bottom left corner, and select racism/hate speech.
Now back to eating popcorn and watching some more of Alberta veering off to the right.
Thank you.
Update: Sorry, wrong link.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-28534833513307767222010-02-09T00:57:00.002-07:002010-02-09T01:02:47.963-07:00Facebook Rage Onion Ring VersionPeer pressure and social media can be a force of intense trivialisation.
So now I'm supposed to join 2-3 facebook groups per day to satisfy the demands of being a good network member. After I join and click the button, then what? Sit around and wait for messages, updates, witty banter. Do I have to do anything? Show up anywhere? Help organize something? Of course not it's just Facebook.
Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-18059022969698038522010-01-30T21:41:00.000-07:002010-01-30T21:41:08.368-07:00Hitler,the Holocaust and casual HumourI've watched the German movie Der Untergang (2004) twice now, and I'll probably watch it again. Its a powerful movie that knocked me on my ass, and left me in tears. It tells the story of the fall of the Third Reich and the final days of Adolph Hitler in his bunker in east Berlin. The movie was difficult to make in Germany given their sensitivity to such a topic. Bruno Ganz's portrayal of Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-4365267338177805332010-01-28T22:44:00.001-07:002010-01-28T22:48:45.841-07:00CAPPYYC Rally Afterburn Disclaimer: My Blog, this post, and my thoughts here reflect my own views and are not associated with the Organizing Committee of CAPPYYC.
We had a post rally debriefing meeting last night. We put together the following statement for our Facebook supporters:
Our rally outside Mr. Harper’s office this past Saturday was a solid success. Over 350 people attended (based on the 357 signatures Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-88440009428555961042010-01-22T19:58:00.000-07:002010-01-22T19:58:00.105-07:00CAPP YYC Rally TomorrowThanks for all who worked to get the Calgary Rally off the ground, and thanks ahead of time for all of you who are going to show up tomorrow.
Here is a link to our petition document. It got out a bit late, but whatever signatures you can get is great. We will have lots of places to sign tomorrow at the rally.
Two final reminders:
1. Parking is very limited around Mr Harper's office. Please Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-16137466053321915962010-01-21T00:47:00.000-07:002010-01-21T00:47:56.941-07:00CAPPYYC Needs Some VolunteersWe're getting more excited about the CAPP rally on Saturday.
If you're in Calgary and are attending we really could use some volunteers. We realized that our venue is somewhat sprawling with multiple entry and exit points so we want some people to direct participants to the right location. Its a fairly simple job and we'll buy you all the sugar free bran muffins and green tea you can eat. Or, Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-79091381918847355492010-01-19T16:27:00.001-07:002010-01-19T16:39:31.436-07:00CAPPYYC Rally Blogger PlugCalgary's CAPP rally is this Saturday, January 23,2010, on the parking lot directly outside Stephen Harper's Constituency Office.
The address is:
1600 - 90 th Avenue SW
(also known as Glenmore Landing, a popular shopping centre.)
We recommend you not bring your car to the event due to limited parking. There is a lot of parking in nearby, but not in the shopping centre. There are maps and Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-90357787774292563212010-01-16T17:30:00.000-07:002010-01-16T17:30:38.399-07:00ReadingI have a copy of The Well Educated Mind by Susan Bauer. It’s another book of lists suggesting what books you should read to have a better knowledge of the so called western canon. But the author goes beyond just listing books and explains how to critically read literature, a skill that I was never taught anywhere in my education. Yet, when I got to university it was presumed I would know how Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-9374562629008985722010-01-09T21:29:00.000-07:002010-01-09T21:29:24.425-07:00Saturday Night Skeptic.Mr. Deity and the Skeptic:
That touches my raw points on so many levels its actually funnier than the funniness of the video.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-88035393440301599532010-01-07T13:08:00.000-07:002010-01-07T13:08:56.294-07:00Down the Canwest Rabbit HoleYesterday’s Canwest story about supposedly missing ammonium nitrate in the lower mainland was short on details and high on irrelevant fear mongering. I think it was rushed out. Or maybe a night cleaner got on someone’s computer.
Four quick paragraphs to remind you who to fear and loathe:
VANCOUVER — Up to two tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which can be used to make explosives, has gone missing on Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-88432484943761953302010-01-03T13:54:00.000-07:002010-01-03T13:54:51.122-07:00Calgary's Rally Until Now Noticeably LackingI was surprised to learn Calgary, Alberta was one of the few cities in Canada not organizing an anti-prorogue rally. Ok, I wasn't really surprised I was just being polite.
Although I loath facebook it is somewhat useful for organizing groups and events. Please join the group I created attempting to organize a rally in Calgary. If it falls on dead ears, at least we tried. Sorry, typo, I meant Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-60872217122586614792009-12-29T20:42:00.000-07:002009-12-29T20:42:22.992-07:00McNally Robinson Bankruptcy.In March of 2008 I lamented the loss of McNally's Robinson's bookstore in downtown Calgary. It was hard for me to understand how such a great book store could fail in a city like Calgary. Their only competition was a small Coles store in Eaton Centre. Today the independent chain has filed for bankruptcy and will be closing their two newest stores in Don Mills and Winnipeg. (G&M Story)
Aside Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-15485625374197620332009-12-21T12:31:00.000-07:002009-12-21T12:31:08.770-07:00Mr. Harper's Farewell SongA little song I worked up in the heat of Winter Solstice insomnia. Sung to the tune of Henry Kissinger by Monty Python. Maybe it could be sung at one of those swank Galas when next time all the elites get together again.
Dear Prime Minister
We won't be missing yer
You're not the Leader of our dreams
Your too much to bear with your empty stare
And your Machiavellian schemes
I know they say that Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-42534698599662962912009-12-07T22:29:00.005-07:002009-12-07T22:42:24.655-07:00Minnesota Quaker Group's Unique SSM ProtestA Quaker group in Minnesota is refusing to issue any marriage license at all until the State recognizes same sex marriage. According to Minnesota Public Radio:The congregation will continue to hold both opposite-sex and same-sex weddings at its meeting house, but will no longer sign the legal marriage certificate for opposite-sex couples. Instead, couples will need to have the certificate signedRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-42753446272782026532009-12-06T19:39:00.008-07:002009-12-06T19:48:05.290-07:00December 6 and Hong KongOur Prime Minister should have been in Ottawa on December 6 to honour the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. This is a very solemn and significant day for Canadians and the absence of Mr. Harper is deplorable to me. My hopes were never high, but still.One of my father's good friends when we were growing up was a Canadian soldier in Hong Kong when it fell to the Japanese on Christmas Day Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-43554137661982361872009-12-05T11:45:00.000-07:002009-12-05T11:47:41.509-07:00Three Alberta Stories...in under 3 minutes..GO1. Alberta Cabinet Minister Ted Morton had his brief case stolen from his car on Thursday night. The thief left the brief case outside an apartment building where a CBC employee lived, who found it and returned it. We Canadians are polite and very deferential to authority. If this had happened in the United States the documents would have been posted all over the internetRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-77001670998434677152009-12-03T16:28:00.000-07:002009-12-03T16:30:20.753-07:00Vasely Kandinsky - Composition VIIII like all of Kandinsky's paintings but this one keeps sticking in my subconscious for some reason. He led a very interesting life as well, fleeing both the Soviets and the Nazis.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-86124037521757016552009-10-05T22:28:00.018-06:002009-10-05T23:15:14.257-06:00Stelmach vs. GreenpeaceWhen it comes to Alberta's controversial tar-sands, it's not really a fair fight when it comes to the public relations problems. Premier Stelmach is not really equipped to deal with this type of conflict. My prediction that he would make it worse it coming true. I've been watching with growing anxiety as Alberta's Government loses a propaganda war with groups like Greenpeace and others. They're Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-79671293579750626572009-09-11T12:12:00.011-06:002009-09-11T12:40:39.606-06:00Hurtful By IntentHere is a pdf copy of Rob Anders anti-Muslim pamphlet that I received in my mail box not long ago. Free speech is free speech, but this particular free speech, borderline hate speech, is wholly funded by the Government of Canada.The key piece that caught my eye:It is now illegal to hold opinions that offend radical Muslim activists.A lie, pure and simple.That, and frequent references to liberal Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-28068611755353525422009-09-10T21:13:00.003-06:002009-09-10T21:17:23.200-06:00Dr. Yosh Senda 1922-2009I was sad to hear of the passing today of Dr. Yosh Senda of Lethbridge Alberta. Dr. Senda's accomplishments as a foundational figure in the world of Judo would be too numerous to mention, but here is a short list, in no particular order:Highest ranking Judo Sensei in Alberta and Canada at 9th DegreeTaught Judo from children to elite athletes for over 50 yearsOrder of CanadaAlberta Sports Hall ofRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-26602252862884998542009-09-10T15:16:00.009-06:002009-09-10T21:44:22.685-06:00Why Harper’s Speech Doesn’t MatterIf you were shocked and saddened by Stephen Harper's leaked private speech delivered last night, you're probably not alone. I felt very demoralized last night and still do. However if you learned anything new about Harper from that mean spirited hate-filled speech then I would suggest you probably haven't been paying attention. That was vintage Stephen Harper, consistent with every partisan Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-51412411528353165752009-09-08T12:14:00.011-06:002009-09-08T21:14:41.742-06:00Harper's Election Law was a gimmickAs we speak lawyers for Elections Canada and Democracy Watch are arguing in Federal Court whether the last election was illegal. I support Democracy watch, in general, and can't wait for Harper to be retired to a think tank somewhere. Yet, I have doubts and I think the lawsuit is misdirected effort.Its true that Stephen Harper broke his own law, and its true that this shows his lack of characterRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-7148896789058735942009-09-06T18:30:00.006-06:002009-09-07T13:19:13.152-06:00Where is Ed Stelmach? (Yawn)Too good a graphic to waste, and so full of unintentional accuracy.Since the beginning of the Bill 44 debate in Alberta, starting with Lindsay Blackett floating the idea to Tory fan boy Rick Bell, until the current argument about when the bill will be implemented, the Premier has been completely absent. During the historic Bill 44 debates in the Alberta Legislature the Premier didn't participate.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-35870566530055256332009-08-27T19:56:00.008-06:002009-08-27T20:15:16.830-06:00Jacques Demers: Just VisitingCan you imagine if Jacques Demers had been appointed to the Senate as a Liberal by a Liberal Prime Minister. I was just thinking of the creepy voice over of a creepy Conservative attack ad:Jacques Demers hates Canada. Jacques Demers coached in the United States for almost two decades. He only came back for the Senate appointment... etc. All the way from Montenegro...I was a Habs fan growing up. Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-53028192273407468602009-08-23T16:51:00.012-06:002009-08-23T17:06:53.053-06:00BikeCam - Part 1Experimenting with a new blogging genre called BikeCam (R). Need to work on a better narrative and some audio. First one is on one of my favorites spots, the bike path in Eau Claire.
This one is of crossing the 10th street pedestrian bridge which runs under the C-Train bridge and crosses over into Kensington. Always fun getting across here on a bike. Watch for the dudes with $10,000 worth ofRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-88586636497224424172009-08-08T15:29:00.007-06:002009-08-08T15:52:26.531-06:00Quick thoughts on Tiny Perfect BlogI should say right from the outset that I disagree with anonymous blogging, just as I am opposed to anonymous commenting on blogs. However, people have reasons to conceal their identity that we ought to at least consider. Sometimes anonymous muckracking from someone being subversive to their employer or organization is a very health antidote to mainstream print journalism and the culture of Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-6873990369402868692009-08-07T00:05:00.015-06:002009-08-07T00:46:49.195-06:00Mysterious Mercedes Benz Killing MeI've been seeing this mysterious Mercedes Benz around my neighborhood for a few weeks now. I can't figure out who owns it. Possibly an invisible man. It reminds me of Richard Dreyfuss in American Graffiti, (two effes one tee) trying to figure out who the woman was in the 56 White T-Bird. Turns out it was Suzanne Somers, before Three's Company and Thigh-Master. American Grafitti would have been a Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-60617852689172544052009-08-01T20:23:00.005-06:002009-08-01T20:32:52.806-06:00Mayhem at Big ValleyBig Valley Jamboree is an annual Country Music Festival in Camrose Alberta. Just before the last set of the day a huge storm blew through the area and flipped the stage over. There are unconfirmed reports of a few deaths, people trapped under the rubble, and people missing or injured. The details are still emerging. (8:30 MST).The news rolled out fairly quickly on Twitter with Musicians and Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-22557631971697375882009-07-29T23:00:00.012-06:002009-07-30T13:23:42.367-06:00More on the Carrington Fire(Please see additional update at bottom of post)I haven't heard anything about how the Edmonton Police are progressing with their investigation into the fire at the Carrington Seniors Residence, apparently considered an arson.However, I did receive an email from a man who claimed to be a first responder at the fire and he made some interesting observations backed up with pictures. It seems that Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-47782064008592480902009-07-22T12:30:00.006-06:002009-07-22T12:50:56.492-06:00Brief Moon Landing ThoughtOnce my Mom gave me a present. It was a copy of the Edmonton Journal of July 21 or 22, 1969 with the breathtaking picture of Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon. It seemed an odd juxtaposition with the Journal's banner in old style Gothic font. I took it out to show it to someone one day only to find out that my nephew had found it and had used it to color and scribble on. I wasn't really madRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-78295442084397700632009-07-21T22:05:00.006-06:002009-07-21T22:45:55.745-06:00Boutilier Should ResignI wasn't planning on blogging about Guy Boutilier getting punted by Big Daddy. To be honest I find the internecine feuds of Alberta conservatives to be as about interesting as potatoes with no gravy. There is a tangential issue relating to populism and the basics of what elected official are supposed to be doing for us. However, we've known for over two decades or more that the Alberta Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-44631202587632691382009-07-18T16:09:00.006-06:002009-07-18T16:37:49.465-06:00IrregardlessI just heard a man on the radio use the word irregardless, an evil word used more and more these days. Worse, the man was an instructor from Mount Royal College. He may be a full Professor by now given the recent regulatory changes and the College's elevation. Nonetheless I regard the use of this word as careless and perhaps even illiterate.Since the early 1900's the word was flagged by Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-25619707993271899132009-07-17T22:37:00.006-06:002009-07-17T22:47:38.887-06:00Cronkite: Dignified and ProfessionalEveryone is reflecting on their memories of Walter Cronkite. I'm not surprised by the massive outpouring of respectful grief. My main impression is that he was an incredibly poised man who dealt with massive social upheaval in the 1960's, assassination, Watergate, a violent and unacceptable war in Vietnam - in a calm and dignified way. My own vivid memory is being home from school sick when JFK Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-28561790633930900182009-07-17T22:28:00.006-06:002009-07-17T22:36:22.763-06:00American Health Care DebateI'm not an American yet I'm getting fatigued by the ongoing debate over the American health care system. So much stupidity and prejudice on parade. I hope Americans get a better system under President Obama so the average person doesn't have to choose between a simple procedure or owning a home. Or suffering silently then dying.Here's a video of NY State Senator Tom Duane giving an impassioned Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-87616732507964973892009-07-13T20:55:00.013-06:002009-07-13T21:16:51.731-06:00Shocked But Not SurprisedWhen you have a radio station that caters to middle age guys who are predominately conservative, what could go wrong when you start a drive home show conversation about aboriginal issues?On the way home I tuned in briefly to hear the tail end of a conversation about aboriginal property rights and the Indian Act. The two hosts made a segue to the story about the makeshift border crossing Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-31452124077896871302009-06-29T23:37:00.008-06:002009-06-30T00:10:21.066-06:00This Just in...Woman's Tennis SexistThis article about woman's tennis was making the rounds on Twitter today, and to be honest it didn't surprise me much. It seems the centre court matches at Wimbledon are not decided on seeding or talent so much as the looks of the players. I was looking at this picture of Serena Williams and I couldn't help but think what a wicked athlete she is. Those biceps...If you remember, Anna Kournikova Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-5464418993889809412009-06-28T21:44:00.005-06:002009-06-28T22:15:01.859-06:00Download ThisDownload the MP3 and share it. Pass the link around to all your friends. Maybe even your ex-friends. Not to mention future friends, casual acquaintances, parole officers, one night stands, and so on.Update: Forgot to mention the MP3 has no DRM. It is intened to be shared freely.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-72870417886003804212009-06-24T11:08:00.007-06:002009-06-24T12:01:26.657-06:00Carrington Fire Apparently ArsonMy 80 something mother had been living at the Carrington Assisted living apartments in Edmonton. She lived in the building on 106st and 40th avenue. On May 31, in the middle of the night, the building went on fire and over 200 seniors were out on the street. Miraculously, none of them were hurt. The EFD, EPD and passers by did a great job in making sure everyone got out in time.The western wing Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-19159882128095541632009-06-24T00:04:00.009-06:002009-06-24T00:15:03.972-06:00Unintended Widget Side EffectI've been using the newest version of blogger templates for a few months now. Generally I like them better. These templates support some custom xml tags that allow easy integration of generic widgets. If you look to the right you will see a widget that displays a list of blogs and their latest post, with the leading text. I like this widget and don't mind promoting other blogs. I you want your Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-4045002994393492382009-06-23T23:33:00.005-06:002009-06-23T23:46:47.409-06:00Lying For Jesus. Part...Sorry Lost CountI was surprised when I mistyped my blog URL and found out that a wacky Christian cult had registered www.rwmcbean.blogpot.com to host their dubious bible studies. The web site titled LIFE IS A TEST.ORG looks a bit suspicious to me. It could be a spam/spyware repository, or maybe there's even a back door to child porn. You never know these days. You never know with these type of people.Anyway, I Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-8480352601487565792009-06-03T22:49:00.011-06:002009-06-04T01:30:11.101-06:00Eds new BFFThe one and only sentence in the press release: Premier Ed Stelmach met with His Excellency Lan Lijun, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada.In keeping with the opaque operations of the GOA, God only knows what Ed is discussing with the Ambassador of China. After Bill44, I may be better off not knowing. But they do look happy together.Could be they're discussing China's stake Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-27504669467083138962009-06-02T01:44:00.006-06:002009-06-02T01:59:17.928-06:00AshamedI stayed up late to listen to the final reading of Bill 44 in the Alberta Legislature and to follow the Twitter feeds from #ableg and #bill44. About 1:30 MST the bill was passed 35 to 7. Half the PC Caucus didn't bother showing up. The Premier came in late just in time to vote and didn't listen or participate in the final debate. As an additional insult to the Opposition members they invoked Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-90266967622849227262009-05-31T17:43:00.005-06:002009-05-31T17:58:18.248-06:00Time to test Torture TheoryThe alleged murderer of Dr. George Tiller, who is now in custody, may be part of a larger terror cell planning more killings. Presumably the supporters of torture in the war on terror would agree that torturing this suspect would be prudent, and would help settle the debate over whether torture is an effective tool.I say waterboard the man. See if there are any other ticking time bomb snipers Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-27014469798860756002009-05-31T15:05:00.002-06:002009-05-31T15:07:40.323-06:00Children of a Stupid God...he's our child and is a very very bad boy...Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-47564385575071227472009-05-29T22:47:00.009-06:002009-05-29T23:00:17.970-06:00Dear BrainI really hate it when you walk by some thing 20 times a day and your brain chirps at you we really ought to do something with that thing, and you talk back to your brain ok ok, maybe tomorrow. Then tomorrow comes and you remember and you say to your brain, where's that thing we were supposed to do something with and your brain says, what thing? and you say that thing we saw 20 times Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-11557765021178469222009-05-26T23:38:00.008-06:002009-05-26T23:52:35.818-06:00Karma and the Prop 8 RulingOn the same day that the California Supreme court released its ruling on the request to overturn Propisition 8, the Alberta Legislature continues to debate Bill 44. There is some irony there and both Twitter feeds are fascinating and highly emotional.The key issue in the California ruling is the sad reality that referendums can be used to alter the State's constitution, even in areas that affectRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-45939488305667104132009-05-25T16:07:00.008-06:002009-05-25T16:22:39.676-06:00Peter Lougheed: Just VisitingAs mentioned from time to time on this site, Alberta's most pivotal Premier of the modern era was shockingly absent from Alberta and shockingly returned to get elected to the Alberta Legislature. Shocking. It could be that Stephen Harper has overlooked his bio, or he just hasn't got around to slandering him yet. Harper's probably kind of busy that way.Before his political career, in the 1950'sRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-91618697975518391302009-05-23T16:10:00.016-06:002009-05-23T16:29:29.514-06:00Some Calgary PhotosSome cheap photos from around Calgary. If you have a slow connection come back in 10 minutes.Some Squirrels on a rare piece of grass downtown. Some Tamil protesters on the steps of City Hall. Olympic plaza. Just finishing off an all day kids festival.Teatro's Restaurant lunch specials. They're offering a dinner for 2 for the price of a barrel of oil. Nice Calgary gimmick, but might put a fewRobert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-58409659167921914202009-05-21T22:57:00.009-06:002009-05-21T23:06:50.418-06:00630Ched Manipulates Anger Over Tori StaffordThere's a death penalty poll up at 630ched.com. It deliberately coincides with the horrible news regarding Tori Stafford.The usual inflammatory bullshit forms the question:With little evidence Canada's "soft" treatment of hardened criminals is working, is it time to bring back the death penalty for cold blooded killers?There are too many fallacies there to properly deal with in brief, but please Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-20893845369511527642009-05-12T00:52:00.009-06:002009-05-12T01:12:36.030-06:00Vote Yes for BC STVI wish I lived in BC so I could vote in tomorrow's election. I would definitely vote yes for the STV democratic reform. I hope it passes and incites citizen rebellion all over the country. We are becoming increasingly linked with the world through globalization and immigration yet our political systems both provincially and federally, are rapidly falling behind the emerging standards elsewhere.Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323924.post-29335610003381210842009-05-07T22:14:00.008-06:002009-05-07T22:25:52.841-06:00Sean Avery's Therapy didn't TakeA few months ago Sean Avery was suspended for saying adolescent things about Dion Phaneuf and Elisha Cuthbert. After his suspension and league mandated counseling the Dallas Stars put him on waivers and the New York Rangers picked him up. It seems he got ripped off with the counseling thing. I remember him doing interviews and being all emo about how serious he was about fixing himself. I Robert McBean.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03785114322799288514noreply@blogger.com0