Summer Food Fun and Drink Chapter 7 Kiva and Hug someone · 3 July 2010 by colin newell
I have a friend named Bob Harris, from Los Angeles, who tonight is somewhere in Hungary… Budapest I think – being astounded by the unique nature of the language.
On his own. On a mission that any parent, friend or partner would be proud of.
Researching a book on the subject of KIVA – a microfinance thing that everyone should know about and participate in.
Because it works.
Simple concept.
You loan out small amounts of money to folks in developing nations that are starting up a business that need a helping hand.
Bob has made hundreds of loans – many of which that have already been paid back. It’s simple. And hey, it works. Check out his page
Anyway – yesterday Bob was in Bosnia – a war torn region that is on a comeback. And he anonymously met with folks that he has loaned money to. He is writing a book on the subject. From where I am sitting, Bob is a saint. Or not. Maybe just a normal guy on a mission. That you can participate in as well.
Check out Kiva.
Summer Fun Food Drink Chapter 4 More New Canada surprises · 29 June 2010 by colin newell
Toronto’s police chief is now admitting there never was a five-metre rule that had people fearing arrest if they strayed too close to the G20 security perimeter.
Come again? You mean, this shit was made up?
Civil libertarians and other bleeding heart liberals like yours truly were fuming like a mis-tuned diesel after hearing Friday that the Ontario cabinet gave police the power to stop and search anyone coming within five metres of the G20 fences in Toronto for a one-week period. And it turned to be a lie. Bogus.
The Ministry of Community Safety claims all the cabinet did was update the law that governs entry to such places as court houses to include specific areas inside the G20 fences — not outside. Not outside the wall!
A ministry spokesperson declared the change was about property, not police powers, and did not include any mention of a 5 meter exclusion zone.
Asked Tuesday if there was a 5 meter rule, given the ministry’s clarification, Chief Bill Blair said, “No, but I was trying to keep the criminals out.”
F*ck me.
Premier Dalton McGuinty has some explaining to do methinks.
The public was left to believe the province had given officers the power to demand identification and detain anyone within 15 feet of the G20 site.
Damn. How I wish I could just make shit up like this.
All weekend there were reports of police stopping people throughout downtown Toronto — often in areas nowhere near the G20 zone — demanding identification and to search bags and backpacks. Each incidence a violation of fundamental Charter rights.
I want my country back and I want it back now! This is fricking stressful and I do not like the feeling.
Do yourself a favor folks – do not get down on the Toronto PD – because those men and women were not the weasels in riot gear that took pleasure in putting boots to peaceful folks. The riot cops, wherever they came from, would be psychologically unfit for regular duty in any detachment or precinct. God help the family and friends of riot cops – because many of them are obviously demented.
Canada day is coming – and remember, as we celebrate freedom in Victoria B.C. Canada – that you cannot be stopped in the street by a cop and be searched. If you encounter a road block or check point in the city, you do not need to submit to a search without a warrant.
Have a great Canada day… and Peace out.
Summer Food Fun and Drink 2 Liberty Fun and Games G20 G8 · 25 June 2010 by colin newell
Police forces in charge of security at the G20 summit in Toronto have been granted special powers for the duration of the summit.
Come within five metres of the security area and you are obliged to give police your name and state the purpose of your visit.
This is a Charter rights violation.
Anyone who fails to provide identification or explain why they are near the security zone can be searched and arrested.
Again, a Charter rights violation.
The new powers are designed specifically for the G20. Sure they are.
Anyone who refuses to identify themselves or refuses to provide a reason for their visit can be fined up to $500 and face up to two months in jail.
If I am up to no harm, no cop can ask me my name. Is is that simple.
Nice. Our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGimpy
is a traitor to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
They have urinated on our charter to protect despot leaders and big bankers.
Be angry… I am.
Say it with me folks: F*ck F*ck, F*ckity, F*ck.
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Rites of Spring #11 - eschewing crap made in capitalist China · 1 May 2010 by colin newell
On a sidewalk bordering Beacon Hill Park in Victoria B.C. Canada, Four men with radios and headphones circle the block in the vicinity of Quadra and Southgate. A gentle rain falls but the blue is poking through.
Photo at right – cheap CFL’s made in China can save you coins but cost you your life or your peace of mind. Two of mine melted down recently.
We are all walking in separate directions but occasionally meet up near a utility pole to compare notes and look over each others receiving equipment.
One of my mates is listening to CBC 690khz – one of the most reliable AM signals into the city. There are probably thousands of folks within a kilometer of where we are standing that regularly listen to this station – if they are not tuned in continuously that is.
We listen to the Saturday morning programming but note something somewhat unwelcome on the channel. It is the raw, buzz saw, humming and thrumming of some kind of unidentified digital appliance that is either malfunctioning or poorly designed.
In fact, the digital electronic buzz cuts a swath through the entire radio dial – and beyond. So for those folks, who live in Victoria, who enjoy listening to CKWX or CKNW in Vancouver or KARI in Blaine – if you lived within 100 yards of where we isolated, at least, the building in question – well, then you would be out of luck.
There was a time, in the old days (the 70’s and 80’s) when TV was largely analog that the reception was highly susceptible to interference like this. Now imagine your 72” Plasma TV getting reduced to a wall-hanging by some hard-to-find interference source.
It’s possible, plausible and highly likely I am afraid to say.
So. What’s the culprit in this case? Inconclusive at this point. We will probably bring in Industry Canada to sniff around. We tracked the source down to the utility poles serving an apartment building.
Suspects: A exercise treadmill made in mainland China. No, not the country of Taiwan. But Red China. As long as the device is plugged in, the computer processor on the poorly constructed and engineered appliance (made in China) and sold at Sears… as long as it’s on, it is transmitting a broad swatch of loud noise across an entire radio spectrum – rendering that entire neighborhood jammed.
Check out the compact fluorescent lamp above – I used to buy these lamps without checking the country of origin – until 2 of them practically melted down and burst into flames in my bathroom. Nice. And made in China no less.
So. Do your family a favor and avoid manufactured goods from this country.
Because they simply do not care.
Colin Newell lives and writes in Victoria B.C. Canada – is an electronics technician and ham radio operator – if you see him in your neighborhood with a radio and headphones… just ignore him.
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Winter all fun, food and frolic - America and the phony war on drugs · 15 March 2010 by colin newell
Just listening to the CBC report on the current crisis in Mexico…
which is more of an American fueled crisis.
The war on drugs.
Seems America is going to crack down on drug traffic between Mexico and the U.S.A
…and between Canada and the U.S.A.
…and everywhere else and the U.S.A.
Some facts. One in every 32 American adults—are either incarcerated, on parole or probation or under some other form of state or local supervision. And 1 in 100 are behind bars… largely for non-violent drug related offenses.
The U.S. is the World leader in incarceration. China is second at 4 times the population but 18% of the rate of incarceration.
Why? Why put pot dealers in prisons?
American prisons are run by private firms. Privatized. For profit. There is money to be made with full prisons. Upwards of 2 Billion dollars (US) of profit are generated annually in these private incarceration “businesses”.
No war on drugs. No labor ready folks to be put in prison.
Here is how Canada and Europe differ on its perception of drug addition… versus the U.S. of A.
In Europe and to a much lesser extent, Canada, drug addiction is treated like a disease… a sickness. Which should be treated with sympathy, caring, empathy and treatment.
In America, it is a terrible, terrible crime and a blight on society. Watch an American news hour or an episode of Dog the Bounty hunter if you doubt my word.
But are soft drugs like marijuana a hazard to society?
I have never used illicit drugs. Never smoked marijuana. No desire.
Marijuana prohibition costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually and results in the arrest of more than 829,000 individuals per year—far more than the total number of arrests for all violent crimes combined – including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
And although I have never been a big fan of stoners – I did grow up in the 70’s and had my fill of harassment from pot heads and L.S.D. dropping school mates, none of whom ever posed any kind of threat to me and my family…
Other than breaking into my locker and stealing my Cheetos.
In the year 2010, the big prison eagle and the U.S. administration is eying Canada to make sure it keeps toeing the line – even our own Prime minister has spoken of building bigger and better prisons and getting tough on the rampant crime in Canada.
Canada does not have rampant crime. Violent crime is on a steady decline. In the Netherlands for instance, they are closing prisons… not enough bad people it seems. Good thing the U.S.A does not influence sensible Dutch folks.
Meantime, what we do is often what the big bad bald eagle wants us to do. With little wiggle room.
But there is always public opinion… and knowledge… and social action. – The War on crime and drugs in Canada and the U.S.A.
Keep your eyes on it.
2010 Olympic Rant #45 · 3 February 2010 by colin newell
Everything from strollers to flying sports disks, umbrellas, laser pointers and flags from non-participating countries are banned from Olympic venues, Vancouver 2010 officials announced this week.
Flags from non-participating countries? Huh? Why?
Spectators should arrive two hours before city events, three hours before mountain events, and four hours before the open and closing ceremonies, Olympic officials said.
I am not arriving at all… so I am plenty good.
RCMP Sgt. Mike Cote, a spokesman for the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, said security measures will escalate if there are threats made against the Games
Check out my threat: Indifference.
He added peaceful and law-abiding protesters have nothing to fear from the security cameras.
VANOC and the IOC have nothing to fear but my loathing.
“Peaceful protest is not against the law,” he said. “If we do have an issue, it’s when the line is crossed, when the laws of this country … are broken. Other than that, we’re not concerned about protests if they’re kept legal.”
They actually mean… the laws of the IOC.
Other stuff banned…
• Food and drinks
of course… so you can be forced to eat McDonalds and drink Coca Cola
• Water balloon launchers
glad they have this on the list – now I can sleep at night…
• Leaflets, pamphlets, non-approved publications and promotional material
you mean, like t-shirts that say Screw the 2010 freak show already!
• Animals
assist dogs?
• Banners containing religious, political, provocative or obscene content and or visible branding and trademarks of sponsor and non-sponsor companies
So I cannot wear my Rancilio ball cap?
• Flags of non-participating countries
yea whatever.
75% of Vancouver residents agree with me.
