Bush to Say 'America Is Addicted to Oil' in Speech

wow. I would say more but my head just caved in a little bit.
Bush to Say 'America Is Addicted to Oil' in Speech - New York Times

Rock Star reality to claim another?

A few months ago I posted a story about the stupid show Rock Star: INXS. I pointed out the fact that the use of the ":" suggested that there would be more Rock Star series attempting to resusitate old burned out artists. The first, and still possible candidate was Van Halen - after their disasterous world tour that left the band at each other's throats, and Sammy Haggar driving much more than 55 away from the band.

Today, I have learned of another candidate for the Rock Star crapfest. Believe it or not, the name actually being tossed around is Alice in Chains (*shutter). Seems having your singer die of a drug overdose nearly four years ago, and not having a charting single since 1996 doesn't deter these aging rockers. Stay tuned, and pray.

Is this Gomery's heritage?

Could it be that the fallout from the Gomery debacle may actually lead to some good news? It may appear so.

The Globe and Mail: Audits chasing big names in corporate Canada


PS. It would appear my updates for the last two days have been going somewhere else. Here's me playing catch up.

Top 10 Censored News Stories of 2005

Project Censored / WanttoKnow.info

The Worst TTC routes

TheStar.com - Voices: Worst TTC routes

Wikipedia as a political tool (and not in a good way)

Seems the US Congress has discovered the open-ended encyclopeida Wikipedia. And they have been making a lot of changes...
Politicians notice Wikipedia | News.blog | CNET News.com

Success!

We seem to have worked out the problems with the podcast, and she's up and runnin'! Get your copy here, or just drop this little line into iTunes under the "subscribe to podcast" menu:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/thenewmusicfriday

enjoy!

Damn you technology!

Have been trying for a day and a half to post the new Podcast, but my free file host (ourmedia.org) is being dumb. Will update you when problems are resolved (or someone donates 25 megs of space on their server to host the file).

RATE MY MULLET - mullet pictures, mullets!

RATE MY MULLET - mullet pictures, mullets!

Sick as a dog.

Let this be a lesson to all you out there: you're not a kid anymore, so drink like one at Sneaky Dees.

No posts today. Will do the podcast and music news tomorrow.

Bits and Pieces...

- OK, so first he's going to burn up 9 billion reducing the GST, now he's going to waste another 5 billion in a pissing contest with the US over patroling the arctic? Someone needs to tell Stevie the days of the Red Menace are over.

- Hamas won the election in Palestine. Bush is having a suck-attack about it (The New York Times had posted a story earlier titled "Bush wants Abbas to remain Palestinian leader" but has since changed the link to an internation reaction story")

Netdisaster!

Destroy your most hated website now! View useful and email-able.

Netdisaster ? Destroy the web!

50 Most Hated Americans of 2005

Good reading.
The BEAST: America's Best FIend

Martin phones Governor General to resign

CBC News: Martin phones Governor General to resign

BBC NEWS | Americas | Canada Conservatives win election

BBC NEWS | Americas | Canada Conservatives win election

Canadian Voters Oust Incumbent for Conservative - New York Times

Canadian Voters Oust Incumbent for Conservative - New York Times

Election Live Blog

8:39PM - Leafs are losing 2-0 to Ottawa. Ric Mercer just called Stephen Harper the next PM on his show.

9:06PM - Coverage is beginning. No results expected until 9:30.

9:38 - Leafs are done (4-1). First east coast results are in:

Global
LIB-25 CON-11 NDP-5 PQ-1 OTH-0

CBC
LIB-34 CON-12 NDP-5 BQ-1

9:43 - Liberals leading in 13 ridings in Ontario. CONs have 2, NDP 2

9:46 - Stephen Page is on CBC talking about how he's invovled in politics. May do a new song tonight live at NDP HQ.

LIB-43 CON-22 NDP-8 BQ-4

9:50 - Peter McKay has won his seat.

9:52 - CityTV is reporting Conservatives now hold the lead with 59 over Liberals 56.

9:59 - Global: LIB-67 CON-85 NDP-22 BQ-28 OTH-1

10:02 - CBC projects Raplh Goodale has won his seat.

10:03 - Scott Brison is in. CONs just jumped to 95.

10:41 - CBC is now calling a Conservative Minority. I think it's time to call it.

10:47 - Michael Ignatieff (sp?) projected to win. Allan Cutler defeated.

12:15 - Wow. I thought I was done. BUT, Paul Martin has announced, in his concession speech, that he will resign as leader of the Liberal Party.

nice.

Credit to the orginal artist. Don't know who it is though.

Adventures in voting photoblog

Voting is easy. Even I can do it. Here is probably the most typical example of what voting looks like.


It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood...

Walking is a key element in getting to and from the voting box. I regularly try to stand up and walk around at least once a day.

Walking is doubly important if you have no car.

Detour #1: Must stop to check lotto ticket. Can't have democratic responsibilities interfere with winning the 6/49.

Again, walking is important.

Swanky apartments overlooking the Alexander Muir Park. I bet they are nice inside. What was I doing again?

Detour #2: Must tie shoelace. Cannot have potential trip-and-fall hazzard interfere with democractic duties.

Stairs. Another necessary evil in voting. The things we do for elections. Being a citizen sure is tough.

Here is the polling station, in all its glory. I think.
This is the only sign pointing out that this is the polling station. Not exactly selling it, are they? And I think it may be safe to take down the wreath.

The almighty ballot. They tell me we can't take pictures inside the polling station. I beg to differ. The television is full of b-roll showing people voting in the polling stations. I am the media, so I can too.

Voting. Done and done.

Dormerroom

Shared with me, shared with you.
index

Game on!

I like so many others will be live blogging the election events this evening. But you should definately read mine over anyone elses. Why? Because no one else can deliver to you the raw, unbiased facts that Candians deserve. That BS sounds so good even I believe it.

So have fun.

Go Vote.

Tune into the Daily Nar all day for election updates and awesomeness only the Nar can deliver.


To begin, here is an election prediciton I received this morning via email:

My predictions are as follows:

Steven Harper and Paul Martin will marry. Jim Flaherty will be the only one in the room to question why Baird is maid of honour. Paul and Steven, or Pa-Stev as they will re-brand themselves, will both swear off politics and take a slow cruise to the Isle of Wight in one of Paul Martin's lifeboats where they will train seagulls to run marathons.

Jack Layton will take the helm of the Liberal party and immediately drive it into the side of the parliament. Just before his passage into oblivion he will be heard to scream, "I don't want to live in a world without love." His moustache will be donated to medical science.

Peter MacKay will lead the Conservative party into parliament only to be tackled in the opening session by an irate Belinda Stronach screaming "mine, mine, mine" and repeatedly bang his head into the speaker's chair. The resulting brain damage will render him mute, unable to count past three and oddly attracted to chalk.

And he will be Canada's greatest Prime Minister.

They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa

The New Music Friday Podcast Number 3!

It's alive! See what time and boredom can do? Hit up the link now to get the new podcast (right-click the title, save as). Or if you have it set up in iTunes, just hit update. Questions and comments are always welcome, thedailynar@gmail.com

UPDATE:

Just drop this link into your podcasting software to be automatically updated with all the podcasts. Sorry for the confusion!

http://feeds.feedburner.com/thenewmusicfriday

So Now What?

OK, its a foregone conclusion. While my Liberal incumbant has no chance of losing, Harper is on his way to a win (I still think its a minority). As a letter I received today authored by a prominent Liberal minister will atest, they know it too. I don't like it, and I won't change my mind about it. I don't like Stephen Harper and I don't like his ideas. I think his platform is wrong on a lot of counts, and I think he has a hidden agenda regarding his as-of-late downplayed right-wing views on families, women's rights, etc.

I agree with most people, that the Liberals need a time-out to clean house, and get back to being a party with, oh I don't know, an idea or two?

So as George W. splashes around in his hot tub filled with crude oil, giddy as a coked-up school girl with his war on terror, war on the Supreme Court, and war on liberalism in North America going so well; myself, and many others, will keep and eye on Harper and his buddies. Personally, I couldn't see this election going anyother way, but I'm still not very happy about it.

New Music Friday Vol. 40

Short post for today:

- The Galbraith Brothers continue their mission for musical domination. Last update, I told you about Ken's new solo project, Kids in Divorce. This time, Jay has struck out on his own with The Smile. Post-hardcore goodness. Samples are here.

- Every Time I Die have a DVD, Shit Happens, slated for release sometime this year. No details just yet.

- Pansy Division have released The Essential Pansy Division (a Best-of) on Alternative Tentacles this week.

- NOFX's new EP, Never Trust A Hippy, is coming March 14th. 2 of these 6 songs will be appearing later on their full length, Wolves In Wolves Clothing, which is coming out April 18th.
Tracklisting:
1: Seeing Double At The Triple Rock *
2: The Marxist Brothers *
3: Golden Boys
4: Youre Wrong
5: Everything In Moderation (Especially Moderation)
6: Im Going To Hell For This One
* from their upcoming full length Wolves In Wolves Clothing

RIP: Wilson Picket

ABC News: Wilson Pickett Dies of Heart Attack at 64

SXSW Band Line-up Announced

And it's freakin' huge. A quick rundown brings these bands to my mind:

-Aberdeen City
-An Albatross
-The Apples in Stereo
-Arab Strap
-Bedouin Soundclash*
-Beirut
-Belle&Sebastian
-Blowfly
-Bottle Rockets
-The Brian Jonestown Massacre
-The Billiant Mistakes
-Buck 65*
-Cat Power
-Cephalic Carnage
-Circle Takes the Square
-Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
-The Crimea
-Cuff the Duke*
-Dashboard Confessional
-The Datsuns
-Death in Vegas
-Destroyer*
-Andy Dick
-Julie Doiron*
-Luke Doucet*
-Echo & The Bunnymen
-Flogging Molly
-Michael Franti and Spearhead
-Great Lake Swimmers*
-Sarah Harmer*
-The Hellacopters
-Helmet
-The Hidden Cameras*
-His Name is Alive
-Holy Fuck*
-Killing Joke
-k-os*
-Ladytron
-Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
-The Living End
-Mates of State
-Matt Mays & El Torpedo
-Metric*
-Million Dollar Marxists*
-Minus the Bear
-Mogwai
-Morningwood
-The New Pornographers*
-The Organ*
-Peaches
-The Plot to Blow up the Eiffel Tower
-Sam Roberts*
-Saves the Day
-Say Anything
-The Secret Machines
-Since by Man
-Swollen Members*
-The Talk
-Thunderbirds are now!
-Turbonegro
-We are Scientists
-World Party

(* denotes Canadian artist)

There's a LOT more bands (Canadian ones too), so go have a look. Roadtrip?
south by southwest festivals + conferences

Weird

We have a Federal Sex Party?
Sex party sues Canada Post over leaflets

NOW Podcasting

NOW is one of PBS' best programs. Orgininally hosted by the now-deposed Bill Moyers, NOW takes a critical look at the American culture and government with an unbiased view that has angered many a Republican. Beginning this week, NOW has started dumping it's now 30min. show to a weekly podcasts. The site also has links to videos and past shows for download. Check it out, you thank me.

NOW. Podcasting | PBS

Sonic Youth is Back!

Thanks to the Truth Mag.
truth.explosion.magazine. News: Sonic Youth are back

Chron.com | Conservative gains momentum in Canada

Here is an article in the Houston Chronicle carried from the New York Times on Stephen Harper's lead in the polls. Please note the wonderful allusions (e.g. Huntsville=Woodsy, rural community) and not so subtle slams against the Liberal party.
Chron.com | Conservative gains momentum in Canada

The Globe and Mail: Platform price tag leaves out some Tory promises

At this point, things are looking awfully grim for the Liberals. As much as it pains me to say this, it looks like Harper may be well on his way to victory. Now I know that's probably not news to anyone at this point, but it leads us to our next stage in the typical political bashing: wariness.

I've always been afraid of Stephen and his views. But, remember I said way back at the beginning of December that the winner would be the one most publicly pledging to spend money on social services. While the Liberals have clamored to play catch up to all the wild eyed promises the Tories have thrown down, its the Conservatives that have come across as the most genuine with their soon to be retractions on campaign pledges. The Liberals made the mistake of adopting at "Oh yeah? Well check this out" approach that put them behind the curve on announcements. Not a good position for the party in power.

Which leads me to this article, one of several floating around today with the same topic. Seems the economist the Tories hired (see incredibly uncomfortable photo on the link) to review their plan has some serious doubts about what they are saying. Seems some of the big promises (resolving the fiscal imbalance between provinces, wait times for healthcare) were NOT included in the original costing of the platform.

Not surprised. Let me be the first to say, if the Conservatives are elected, what their spending like a hawk. I don't want to go spreading false facts around, but I'd hate to see a government come into power and fulfill their campaign promises by gutting systems they feel are unnecessary or won't be missed, while hiding the true costs of what they are doing.
The Globe and Mail: Platform price tag leaves out some Tory promises

Chileans vote for new president

That's two.CBC News: Chileans vote for new president

Harper on cities

Spacing Wire: Harper on cities

Harmonized Furniture?

Here is an interesting and timely article. The city of Toronto has decided it may be time to unify all the "street furniture" (garbage bins, benches, bus shelters, etc.) in the city. The effect, they believe, will be one of beautification.

What does this mean exactly? I'm not too sure myself, but I suspect it means ripping out a lot of stuff to replace with new stuff; which means new contracts, new money, and new ad space. It may also mean the end of a lot of personalized benches and other art items that have been both gorilla and sanctioned by the city in the past. Could this be another blow against public art? Maybe.

It's also very suspect that this proposal to "harmonize" things like garbage cans would come within days of final report on the EUCAN "monster garbage bins". You've probably seen them: about 7 feet tall, impossible to walk around, and even harder to figure out (in terms of what's garbage and what's recycling). They are essentially giant illuminated billboards at sidewalk level, with a small garbage receptacle thrown in as an after though. I should post a picture of the pilot one near my place, so you see how disgusting and filthy its become, as no one can figure them out, they just sort of pile their garbage around one of the holes.

As suspected, the Toronto Public Space Committee is none too please about this. What did surprise me, is that the Toronto Business Improvement Association hates the idea too.
The Globe and Mail: Panel opens debate over unsightly Toronto streets

Minimum Wage Increases

Nice. And to think, the minimum wage is less than $5.00 in some American states.The Globe and Mail: Ontario hikes minimum wage

Yawn

Why can't something like this happen during the

Ducepp-isms win again!

"[Paul Martin] campaigns like an NDP, and when he's in power acts like a Tory; so there's no difference between any of them".

Ahh. Classic.

Megabin mega-misleading

From Spacing Magazine today:

I call bullshit on EUCAN. The “favourable response” of 83% is from the “street intercept” portion of the respondents which represents only 200 people, or about 5% of the total sample.

On-line respondents hated the bins — 85% are opposed. The exact opposite response that EUCAN is circulating. Just over 23% of respondents who oppose the bins did so because they “dislike advertising in public space.” On-line responses represented 55% of the sample, or over 2,200 people.

Spacing Wire EUCAN%u2019s pants are on fire

New Music Addendum

Oops, I missed this earlier.

- MONEEN has finished recording their new album. No word yet on the release date. They played a show last night in Brampton, rocking some new tunes to friends at Amigos/Friends. Anyone who attended can email thedailynar@gmail.com and give us the scoop!

Lou Rawls dies

CBC News: U.S. crooner Lou Rawls dies

New Music Friday Vol. 39

New Music Friday is back after a bit of a break. Although there's not a lot happening in music at this time of year, there was a big announcment made public today:

- FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER announce break up. The last album wasn't so great, but its still too bad this had to happen. Here is the letter they've released:

After seven years as a band with various lineups, 3 records and over a thousand shows, FSF agree it is time to move on to other things in our lives. We have enjoyed touring the world over these years, and meeting all of our incredible fans. All of the members of FSF remain the best of friends and look forward to the future, whatever it may bring.

Further Seems Forever will be playing our final shows in early 2006. They will be with the full electric band. We will be doing spot shows in various cities across the country and Canada. We will do our best to play as many places as possible but several members now have full-time jobs and other full time commitments. We hope to see all our fans out at the shows and look forward to playing for you one more time.

We won’t be recording a new record but there will be some unreleased material coming out as well as a DVD with live footage and videos.

We would like to thank all the people and bands who helped our band over the years and made it possible for us to do what we love. Without them behind the scenes we simply couldn’t have done this. Special thanks goes out to our families whose love, encouragement and understanding made it possible to be in this band.

We will be keeping our MySpace page current and you can check that page as well as this site for new info on shows, the DVD and any other FSF related news.

We wish everyone a great new year and hope to see you soon.

Jon, Derick, Josh, Chad and Steve
Further Seems Forever

- GTA area hardcore outfit and current media darlings PROTEST THE HERO have signed to Vagrant Records.

- New ATREYU track from the Underworld Evolution soundtrack available online here (http://www.myspace.com/underworldevolution)

- From Punknews.org: Axis of Justice, the non-profit social justice organization formed by producer/musician Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, Anti-Flag) and Serj Tankian (System of a Down, Serjical Strike Records) will be starting off the new year with a radio show featuring the famed scholar, political activist and libertarian socialist NOAM CHOMPSKY.

The interview was conducted and taped in December and over the course of the one-hour program, Chomsky discusses subjects such as Iraq, propaganda, American activism, the international labor movement, and hope for the future.

The radio show can be heard on KPFK in Los Angeles, 90.7FM, 98.7 FM in Santa Barbara and on XM Satellite Radio on XM channel 53.

- AAROWS have added a new member. Jer, also of Far From Heroes pedigree has joined up adding another guitar. New tracks have been posted at www.myspace.com/aarows

- Tye and Leland, formerly of ARKATA, have joined up with WHORE FOR A HEART. WFAH will be playing at Sneeky Dee's January 26th with THE CANCER BATS. www.myspace.com/whoreforaheart

- Kenny G. of AAROWS, RAISETHEM AND EAT THEM and about a thousand other bands, is putting together some solo material under the moniker KIDS IN DIVORCE. Sample tracks will be up soon at www.myspace.com/kidsindivorce.

- THE STROKES have posted several new track from the new album First Impressions of Earth up at www.myspace.com/thestrokes.

Sorry for the lack of links in this episode. My PC is out of commission and the posting page for Blogger is not mac-friendly.

RCMP = Really Could Mess up Paul's (chances)

Another nail in the coffin: RCMP investigating what could be ANOTHER kickback from the 1995 referendum, to a group that has since disbanded.

The Globe and Mail: Mounties eye another referendum handout

Let this be a lesson to all you spammers!

Spam millions of people... get fined 11 billion dollars! No, that's not a typo.

Rediculous? Yes. And how do you "ban" someone from the Internet for 3 years?
press-citizen.com | Local News

Waterfront debate this Sunday

"The focus of this debate will be the role and the future of the federal government’s waterfront airport on Toronto Island and the role and the future of the federal Port Authority, which runs the airport. This is your chance to hear from and question the four main candidates in the Trinity-Spadina race:

Conservative — Sam Goldstein, Green Party — Thom Chapman, Liberal — Tony Ianno (sitting MP), NDP — Olivia Chow"

Spacing Wire: Federal election: Waterfront debate this Sunday

Wait time bandwagon

I made fun of Stephen Harper when he said the same thing, but it seems I was wrong. Apparently Paul Martin thinks he can guarantee wait times too. Funny thing is, he has been on the inside for more than 10 years. 10 years to make guaranteed wait times happen. Why now?

Running Even.

I don't think anyone is really surprised by this. After all, we Canadian are an accepting bunch. No matter how bad a situation is, just give a few weeks to think about it. We will either:

a) accept the situation as a fact of life and move on; or
b) forget.

What should be of concern, at least for Paul and the Gang, is that they are getting their asses handed to them across the country. In one story on Global TV last night, Martin's apparent lack of tough looking strategy on gun violence will cost the L-words seats in Toronto. Is that true? Debatable. Its a knee-jerk reaction make worse by the fear mongering media.

As for my own riding, I know first hand that more than one Liberal supporter I spoke with are so sure their candidate will win they are voting for the Greens.
With three weeks to go, Liberals, Tories all even

Pedro The Lion break up

bummer.truth.explosion.magazine. News: Pedro The Lion break up

Coldplay CD Issues

Not cool, CDs that you buy but can't actually play. At least, not play on any machine that may be used to steal music.
Boing Boing: Coldplay's new CD has rules: No MP3s, no DVD players, no car stereos