"When you step back and think about it, she is amazing. She possesses the audacity of hopelessness. . ."

March 25, 2008

Op-Ed Columnist

The Long Defeat

By DAVID BROOKS

Hillary Clinton may not realize it yet, but she’s just endured one of the worst weeks of her campaign.

First, Barack Obama weathered the Rev. Jeremiah Wright affair without serious damage to his nomination prospects. Obama still holds a tiny lead among Democrats nationally in the Gallup tracking poll, just as he did before this whole affair blew up.

Second, Obama’s lawyers successfully prevented re-votes in Florida and Michigan. That means it would be virtually impossible for Clinton to take a lead in either elected delegates or total primary votes.

Third, as Noam Scheiber of The New Republic has reported, most superdelegates have accepted Nancy Pelosi’s judgment that the winner of the elected delegates should get the nomination. Instead of lining up behind Clinton, they’re drifting away. Her lead among them has shrunk by about 60 in the past month, according to Avi Zenilman of Politico.com.

In short, Hillary Clinton’s presidential prospects continue to dim. The door is closing. Night is coming. The end, however, is not near.

Last week, an important Clinton adviser told Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen (also of Politico) that Clinton had no more than a 10 percent chance of getting the nomination. Now, she’s probably down to a 5 percent chance.

Five percent......

Read the rest of the article here... New York Times

Green is HOT ! So Major in it !

Jeff Buttle wins gold for Canada at World Figureskating Championship !

GOTEBORG, Sweden - Jeff Buttle is golden.

"At the Scandinavium Arena this afternoon, the 25-year-old became Canada’s first male world figure skating champion since Elvis Stojko in 1997..."

Toronto Star article HERE

Jeff's winning free skate performance...

Two long time Republicans switch to Obama! ... Here's why . . .

Hardball, MSNBC - TV

March 20: Two long-time GOP supporters are publicly supporting Democratic frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama. Chris Matthews speaks with business consultant Susan Eisenhower and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee about their decision to switch.

Damn good reasons too!...



To see a full screen version, click on "more video" in window, and watch it from MSNBC's site.

Obama's full speech on race in America

Brilliant speech. Savor these words. They're historically significant.

"But I do want to say that this searing, nuanced, gut-wrenching, loyal, and deeply, deeply Christian speech is the most honest speech on race in America in my adult lifetime. It is a speech we have all been waiting for for a generation. Its ability to embrace both the legitimate fears and resentments of whites and the understandable anger and dashed hopes of many blacks was, in my view, unique in recent American history."

Andrew Sullivan, Atlantic.com (a self-described libertarian conservative)

'Hillary acts like a Republican' - How low can she go?

March 12: Keith Olbermann gives a special comment on the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y and the Geraldine Ferraro connection.

The Hillary campaign reaches a new low every day. Who wants a president that condones this sort of thing? Keith's Special Comment says what some of us are thinking... but don't dare put in words. Keith has some major balls doing this!

She had better take his advice or she's toast.

I am interested in hearing your comments. See below.

In the midst of all this . . . THIS . . .

Amazing... In the midst of this brutal snowstorm (March 8), my friend Harriet spotted a very "robust robin" while on a walk with her dog Molly. Now that is one determined bird! Either that or he is just plain daft. What's he gonna eat... freeze dried worms??

We're grateful for your presence though. We like your optimism and incredible determination!

Bulletin: Spring? Forward? Really??

Okay... okay already! I know it doesn't feel like spring at all. Not even close. Even worse we're supposed to get pummeled with snow again this weekend (deep sigh...), but time is on our side, for two very good reasons...

#1 This Sunday (@2am) we turn our clocks ahead one hour. We lose one hour of sleep, but we gain more light in the evenings. Huge bonus! It will make a big difference in how we feel. G_d knows we need it!!

#2 Spring will start on March 20 at 5:48 a.m. That is only two weeks from now, as of this writing (Mar 6).

Even better... This Spring and Summer will seem glorious compared to years past. The contrast of this long and difficult (yet stunningly beautiful) winter, versus the majestic aura of a warm and very GREEN spring day, will put ourselves into an Ultra Happy mode! We will all OD on endorphens! BBQ's patios and café's will spring up like crocuses and snow-drops.

Can you tell I CAN'T WAIT until SPRING?? LOL!!!

Optimism is intoxicating. Spread it around...

Bill Maher's "New Rules" - Brilliant !

One of Bill's best rants ever!

Why those on Facebook should consider leaving . . . . . . . . IF YOU CAN???

If you're a member of Facebook... you BETTER read this...!!

New York times article... Read HERE

"Are you a member of Facebook.com? You may have a lifetime contract.

Some users have discovered that it is nearly impossible to remove themselves entirely from Facebook, setting off a fresh round of concern over the popular social network’s use of personal data.

While the Web site offers users the option to deactivate their accounts, Facebook servers keep copies of the information in those accounts indefinitely. Indeed, many users who have contacted Facebook to request that their accounts be deleted have not succeeded in erasing their records from the network... "

Yes We Canada! Yes Oui Canada!

Terrific new video.
Canadian singer stars in new Obama video
See article here (Toronto Star)

Our American cousins want enormous change... and fast. G-d knows they need it! Let's reach a hand out to our American cousins, and join them in their quest for dramatic changes to their "ce$$-pool", commonly known as Washington D.C.

We can smell the rot from here! We are nervous about our government too. We're starting to smell noxious odours eminating from Ottawa as well...

Maria Shriver endorses Barack Obama

California First Lady, Maria Shriver endorses Barack Obama for President of the United States.

Remember that Maria's husband is The Terminator. He is also the Governor of California.

He is Republican. She is Democrat. Gonna be one hell of an interesting conversation those two will have at dinner tonight!!



Watch Maria's ever so passionate speech here... Historic actually...

Obama is what America needs . . . Obama is what the WORLD needs . . .

Listen to Barack's amazing victory speech in South Carolina. The world needs this guy as the President of the United States. This is a grassroots effort that is spreading like wildfire, and long overdue in the US.

John F. Kennedy, and for Canadians, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, were the last people in my lifetime to inspire the public in such a passionate way. Barack Obama stimulates the public in the same way these two men did.

In Barack, I don't see race or colour as an issue at all. He is a very talented and capable man... period. I feel he is the ONLY person capable of dramatic and badly needed change in Washington.

Hillary represents the old guard. Lobbyists literally OWN Washington. Once again I stress that Hillary will still accept campaign donations from lobbyists. If she was for any meaningful change, she would not do this. As capable as she may be, she still carries too much baggage from the past.

For REAL change, I feel only Barack can, and will deliver.

March 29, 2008 ~ 8-9pm Turn off ALL your lights, light a candle and join in with millions of others around the world . . .

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. As a result, at 8pm on the 29 March, 2008 millions of people in some of the world’s major capital cities, including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tel Aviv and Manila will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.

To register (free) click here

Canada declares United States DOES use torture!!

Torture is torture no matter what George Bush & Co. say! Bravo for Canada stating this FACT.

A belated goodbye to Jerry Falwell . . . by Bill Maher

Don't even think of buying a NEW condo without first seeing this . . .

"You may be surprised to learn that the beautiful rooms you see in the model suites are not necessarily like the ones you’ll live in once your building is complete. The den on your floor plans may become a walk-in closet by the time you move in. Your ceilings may turn out to be a foot or two lower than the ones you saw in the model suite when you decided to buy. As Wendy Mesley reports, buying a condo is fraught with risk for you, the buyer. The developers? They’re pretty well protected."

Watch the video HERE.

He just may be the next President of the United States! An extended interview with Barak Obama

As I am following the US Presidential elections (which are incredibly complicated but fascinating) I am being thoroughly impressed by Barak Obama. The more I see and hear, the more I like.

AMERICANS are sick of the incestuous Washington status quo. They are sick of a White House filled with warmongers. They desperately need universal health care. They are sick of the lobbyists buying Washington. They are fed up with their whole system being infiltrated by corporate greed, illegal activities at all levels, and a puppet president that should have been impeached years ago. They are also fed up with a media that has been irresponsible most of the past seven years.

Frankly, Americans need to give their overblown government an enema. Out with the bad... in with the good. As America gets to know Barak Obama better and better, they will quickly warm to him. Barak has yet to fall into that black hole know as Washington DC. His ideas are new and fresh. I feel at this point that Barak Obama is the best person to restore the oxygen supply to a Capitol smothered by excess and very warm CO2.

Now... watch this video and you will see what I mean. Hillary still wants to accept lobbyists money... That is when she lost me. Barak promises not just change, but real change. If he gets to the top he sure has his work cut out for him!!

An excellent interview by NBC's Brian Williams. Excellent audio and video too.

The Beauty Parlour - Eyes left!

Click on poster for larger view

Special Christmas Treat!! - "42nd Street" Now and Then . . .

Anyone who knows me well will understand why I love these two videos. Whether it's the high energy of today... or the subdued excellence of the 1930's... I just bet you can't stop tapping your feet to both of them.

An amazing contrast in styles and fun to watch. Don't forget to crank up your speakers, this ain't AM radio!! Enjoy, and a very Merry Christmas to you all.

Ian
p.s. Second video has been replaced by another since YouTube pulled the first one.

Toronto gets walloped by major winter storm

Sunday Dec 16, 2007 3:30pm

Unlocking your cellphone when you travel. Ellen wants your opinion . . .

Ellen Roseman, who writes for the Toronto Star, wants your opinion about unlocking your cellphone. Don't know what "unlocking" means? --- Neither did I. --- The link will take you to Ellen's blog where you can leave your comments.

And while you're there, check out some of the horror stories about Bell Canada. It's on the right hand side as "Bell Blues".

Ellen's blog here

Shelley Fabares singing "Johnny Angel"

I just loved this song and was a big fan of the Donna Reed Show. Seems so sterile now, but that's what it was like back then. A vintage classic. Enjoy.

Dropping the soap. . . ;-)