Movin' on Up.

After far too much talking about it, the new site is now alive. Yesterday was a hectic day of uploading, bug squashing, and re-uploading. The site should all be working now, and new content will start to flow like mana from Heaven. So enjoy the site, and if you have any feedback or spot anything wrong let us know.

The New Podcast, featuring our new co-host is now up in the Podcast section, so head on over and check it out.

Oh and in case you haven't figured it out, we won't be posting any more new stuff here.

The New Site is Ready to Go!

We're going to launch the new site in the next couple of days. Please point yourselfs towards thedaily.com. I appologize in advance if things are a little wonky at first, seeing as I have no idea what I'm doing. The blog will be here until we're set. Thanks!


If you link to us, please update your links to www.thedailynar.com. Simple, no?

Dying For Respect

[ed: This is the first post by one of our new contributors, Daniel Grant. His article will also be featured on the new site, which should be online VERY shortly!]

When my father died he wasn't "nation building" in a foreign land.  He wasn't tragically blown to pieces by an insurgent.  He wasn't even military.  But he did die in the service of others, which in my eyes makes him a hero.

In the late spring of 1986 two planes had disappeared in Alberta's Kananaskis Country. Dad, who wanted to be a pilot himself, hoped that if he were ever in that situation someone would volunteer to look for him, so he gave his days looking for traces of the two missing aircraft.

Spotter planes regularly maneuvered extremely close to rough mountain faces, and on this particular mission Dad had experienced several close calls. On June 14th, the Twin Otter he was on slammed into the side of a mountain.
Within a couple hours two Mounties were in our living room telling my mother and me we would never see Dad again.  Within an hour of that, the Calgary Sun was calling to find out how we were feeling. I was 14 at the time, and in shock when I answered their questions.

When the paper appeared the next day I didn't remember uttering some of the quotes attributed to me.  They were probably accurate, but as said, I was in shock. 

What I do remember was turning down the Sun's request for a photo of my father.  I know it's hard for some opposition and backbench MPs to understand this, but close relatives of recently deceased don't always appreciate prying media.  My father didn't volunteer because he wanted glory.  He just wanted to help.

It never occurred to me that any flags should be lowered, and to the best of my knowledge none were.  It wasn't until the past couple of days that it even entered my mind that anyone should ever expect that.

I'm sorry soldiers died in Afghanistan the other day.  I have so much respect for anyone that risks their life to make things better for others.  Three military personnel died on that plane with my father too, and from what I remember of the memorial service their families' grief had nothing to do with a lack of reporters.

The best way to remember fallen heroes is by preserving their dignity, not dragging their corpses in front of television cameras.  When MPs tell grieving families their loved ones' sacrifices aren't being properly recognized, that's a disgusting political stunt.  These people are still dealing with a recent and tragic loss, and don't deserve to have their emotions manipulated.

The families that do want privacy aren't going to the media for that very reason - they want privacy.  No one is getting their side of the issue because they choose to mourn away from the harassment of less-than-thoughtful journalists.  It's not accurate to say all families are upset by the lack of attention, just as it's not fair to try to convince them they should be.

Harris stepping down as Green leader

I find this very interesting. Harris has been rumoured to have driven a lot of people out of the party in the last few years, all whilst working as a motivational speaker for corporate efficiency. A strange duality.
CBC News: Harris stepping down as Green leader

12 Million People Cannot be Criminals: a Rant.

In the wake of the larest mass protests in US history, US Immigration has retalliated with its own record. Late last week, INS simultaniously executed the arrest and detention of over 1200 illegal immigrants in several states; more than the total amount of illegals detained in 2005. If this was to serve as some sort of deterent, it backfired. Almost immediately protests began anew. In Chigago, an estimated 200,000 people packed the streets to fight what they see as another premptive strike by the Bush Administration against immigrants. An interesting side note, this protest was the largest in Chigago's history next to the general strike of 1876(?), the famous protests by Russian, Irish and Italian immigrants that is largely credited with bringing around the standard 40-hour work week we all know today.

Here's the kicker. Right now, there are an estimated 12 million undocumented workers and illegal immigrants in the US today. In a few weeks, the Sentate and House will vote to decide whether to criminalize all 12 million people and systematically deporting them, or instituting some comprehensive guest worker programs, and granting citizenship to others. My facts are hazy, but I believe something on the order of 11 million illegals were granted citizenship some time in the 1980's. So the reason people are a little cheesed off is that rather than wait to let the "democratic process" determine the legal standing of these 1200 people, the government rounded them up. This is the sort of thing that used to happen in Soviet Russia, not in the self-described model of freedom and democracy for the world.

The United States is a country founded on immigration, just like Canada. Waves upon waves of immigrants to the United States have fought hard to gain freedom inches at a time. From freedom from the British, to freedom from slavery, to workers rights, to voting rights, its been a passionate battle. But no more. Its seems that the predominatedly Christian Right that currently runs the House, the Senate and the White House has forgotten its roots, and is unwilling to share power with the new wave of immigrants that serve to reinvigorate the course of politics and the democratic agenda of the country.

Voter apathy is at and all-time high. Presidential approval rating are at an all time low. It seems obvious to all but the whitest of the white that those with power in the US just don't care about using it anymore, and do aren't allowed to wield it. It is a product of selfishness and fear. Selfish in the sense that the old boys simply don't want to play with the new kids on the block, despite the fact that latino immigrants represent the fastest growing segement of the (voting)population. It is also the fear that given the apparent passion immigrants have for the freedom of choice and change that the US comports itself to the home of, giving real political power to new Americans will tear the system down. Just look at the earth shatering changes taking place in South America (and perhaps even Mexico). The standard Western Model of Capitalism has been and is being rejected, and it scares the shit out of rich America. Allowing 12 million politically interested people the right to vote and change the course of law at home represents a real potential for similar change here too.

And we can't have that, can we?

SPACING: new issue release party May 2nd

SPACING: new issue release party May 2nd

When: Tuesday, May 2nd, doors 8pm
Where: Gladstone Hotel • 1214 Queen Street West
Who: DJ Chris Thinn
How much: $10 includes new issue + zine

Invisible Children

Power stuff. Invisible Children - The Time Has Come To Act.

The Great News Network | Great News for a Change

Awesome. Good news in the world only... you'd be surprised how much there actually is out there.The Great News Network | Great News for a Change.

Net Neutrality Not An Optional Feature of Internet

GigaOM : Net Neutrality Not An Optional Feature of Internet : "The telco and cable companies have in mind creating another type of customer not a class of service. They want suppliers to pay for the right of transit. It amounts to airlines charging Time Warner for the right of readers to take Time magazine on an airplane. It means charging Ford tolls in addition to drivers for the right of Ford cars to use highways."

Rock and Roll Diaries

Last night, I got the opporitunity to hang with one of the old blokes in Shit From Hell (shitfromhell.com), and got play some new tunes with some old friends. It's been a good long time since I got the chance to sit down (or stand up) and work on some music making, probably about 2 years, give or take. And it was a pretty rad experience. When playing with old friends again, its like riding a bike. We've all gone on to play in different bands, playing pretty different styles of music, but the ideas still flowed like water. We got a pretty good rough sketch around 1 song, with a couple more ideas in the works. We even got asked if we were interested in playing a show at Sneaks in about a month or so. But I can't honestly see that happening. Don't get me wrong, playing with an all-girl-Ramones-cover-band sounds pretty damn awesome, but that's just an unrealistic timetable to write 25 minutes worth of material that doesn't make me cringe in disgust. And the Nar don't do cover tunes.

Hopefully, the fun will continue, and I'll have more to boast about in the future. Thanks to The Claw for hanging out with me, go Capreol!

'United 93' Actor Says Entry to US Denied

Movie News - 'United 93' Actor Says Entry to US Denied - AOL News

'United 93' Actor Says Entry to US Denied

Movie News - 'United 93' Actor Says Entry to US Denied - AOL News

Refused DVD out this tuesday

truth.explosion.magazine. News: Refused DVD out this tuesday

Welcome to the Trillion Dollar War

ABC News: The One Certainty About Iraq: Spiraling Costs for Americans

Pat Quinn's been canned

Maple Leaf Sports has just released a press release stating Pat Quinn is no longer with the Maple Leafs. According to rumours, he'll be headed back Vancouver's way... mapleleafs.com

Bevilacqua joins Liberal leadership race

Sorry I forgot to mention this yesterday: a little birdie informs me the Joe Volpe will be officially throwing his hat in the ring Friday morning.
CBC News: Bevilacqua joins Liberal leadership race

Today is National High Five Day!!!

I almost forgot. So get out there and start high-fivin' complete strangers!National High Five Day

Who says Torontonians are cold-hearted?

Spacing Wire � Who says Torontonians are cold-hearted?

White House Shake-Up

I'm sure this'll be everywhere soon, if it isn't already. Spokesman Resigns in White House Shake-Up - New York Times

Candaian Recording Industry Association Falling Apart

One down...Slyck News - CRIA Falling Apart

Toronto Fark Party

Methinks The Daily Nar shall make an appearance.Toronto Fark Party

This Must Not Be Like Living in Paradise

CNN.com - David Lee Roth's radio show struggling

The New Music Friday Vol. 49

Live from the Rivoli! Or at least its live right now at 3:06PM from the AC loveliness of the upstairs pool hall. Would love to be out on the patio, but alas it is packed to the nines. Still, can't knock a cold beer and free Wi-Fi

- Review time. Moneen released their much anticipated 2nd album for Vagrant Records this week. The Red Tree is an appropriate follow-up to Are We Really Happy With Who we are Right Now, as it continues Moneen's foray into more contextualized sound, while still being a Moneen album. Unlike Choke, Moneen doesn't stray too far from their unique blend of heavy layered guitars and driving rhythm's on this one, to much success. There are some more subtle tracks, employing more electonic sounds and keyboards, but some rockin' songs as well. As Chris Hughes related, they were nervous at first having to work with all new recording and production people, and having so much time to produce the album; but they used it to their advantage. Personal favorite at the moment, The Frightening Reality Of Knowing That We Will All Have To Grow Up And Settle Down One Day. As we all know, Moneen love their long titles. Long story short, buy it. Buy it now.

- The Video Dead are having their CD release party tomorrow night at the Music Centre (in Burlington?) along with The Creepshow and Bigwig. More details?

- Head on over to www.myspace.com/mastodon to hear their new cover of Metallica's "Orion", their contribution to an upcoming tribute CD, because we all know Metallica is dead.

- New Less Than Jake available here, http://www.warnerbrosrecords.com/ltjplayer/

- Hot Hot Heat are venturing back into the studio to begin work on a new album. Expect something in September.

- Saves The Day have dropped their new one, Sound The Alarm. Haven't got a hand on it yet, so review will be forthcoming.

The Nar is out of town till next week. See ya and Hoppy Bunny Day. After this post, we be heading to Ronnies (69 Nassau, in Kensington) for pints. See you there!

I Steal Television Shows Because I Have To

Interesting argument. Are you listening Rogers?
I Steal Television Shows Because I Have To

IDontLikeYouInThatWay.com

I wouldn't normally wade into the sewers like this but I just have to link to this: Britney and Cletus Spears dropped their kid on the floor and waited 6 days to bring him to the hospital (he had a fractured skull). Not surprisingly, Child and Familiy Services of California took some interest in that.IDontLikeYouInThatWay.com

7 Ways to Use the Lessons of '24' at Work

I can personally attest to #2.Aziz Ansari is Bored.

No connection

I didn't even read the story, I just had to post this based solely on the awesome double-entendre in the headline.LINK

LISTEN TO THE RED TREE ONLINE NOW!!

AOL Music Now has the new Moneen and Saves the Day full albums up in the listening party page! Rock the Frick on! -- AOL Music

UPDATE: Ok, so I've listened to the whole album once through, and so far so good. It's more laid back than Are We Really Happy... but still filled with creamy Moneen goodness. We'll have a more detailed review later.

In case you forgot

Moneen's The Red Tree is out today! I haven't got my hands on it yet, but I will. Saves the Day's new album is out today too.. moneen . the red tree

Ron Mueck

We don't do a lot of art coverage here, but this is just too amazing to pass up.Ron Mueck