Mighty AC

I have no beef with honour rolls and think competition is very useful but I agree with the removal of percentage grades. IMO, classes should be concept based and follow the pass/fail model. Students would be required to learn each concept to the point of 'mastery'. Mastery can be defined different ways but it would be equivalent to scoring roughly 85% or better on traditional unit or chapter tests. Students stick with concepts until they master them, at which point they move on to the next. This approach allows students to proceed at their own pace; working quickly through concepts they grasp well and spending more time on those they struggle with. This is a big improvement over our current model which has students move on to the next concept, which usually requires an understanding of the first, even if they are not ready. Of course they then struggle through the entire unit. This model would require post secondary institutions to evaluate their own potential applicants, rather than using high school grades. I suppose a Canadian version of the SATs would be required along with application portfolios.

I listen to everything Shane Koyczan performs. It's always powerful, thought provoking and funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBVJuA0jr6Y

I haven't the time, or really the interest, to investigate the actual dates of the blood moons, but somebody may be lying or massaging the data to achieve the appearance of a trend. This 5 minute video shows how the dates don't really line up. I'm not sure if it is completely accurate but those who want to believe the prophecy claims may also want to verify them. Prophetic Blood Moons Debunked

Finance minister Sorbara (under the supervision of John Lacey) commissioned a review of liquor distribution methods in 2005. The report concluded that some of the benefits of partial privatization would be greater consumer, convenience and choice via a competitive retail environment, a reduction in government-held investment risk while simultaneously increasing its annual revenues by $200 million. From the last page of John Lacey's intro letter to the report. (page 3 - http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/consultations/basr/basr_final_report_en.pdf)

Since, the profit is easily replaceable, I'm willing to bet the main reason the government won't let go is the public sector union fight it would create.

The roughly $300M profit the LCBO brings in on top of the taxes could easily be offset with a slight uptick in the sin tax itself. The slight tax increase on liquor may even be offset by lower prices due to competition.

I loved that intro! Trainspotting produced two really good soundtracks. I remember being addicted to Uderworld's - Born Slippy back in the day.

You believe that it is a coincidence that our government is slashing environmental regulations, eliminating impact studies and subsidizing an already mature and profitable industry? Wow. Do you work for the party? Do you and PIK share a cubicle?

Perfect Day, along with a discussion about Lou, was also in Trainspotting. One of my all time favourite movies.

That's part of Brand's point. We can't really trust those that run the system to make changes that limit their own perks, power and privilege. Though, with enough support I think it would be possible to elect a government with a mandate to shift the paradigm. I wonder if it would be possible to get enough Canadians involved in a "Citizens Assembly" type process to create a platform for change. People from all across the country would debate and decide on a package of necessary changes. This package could be promoted by a joint effort of service organizations like Avaaz, Lead Now, etc. With enough backing candidates or entire parties could be persuaded to sign on to support the publicly created platform. The same service organizations could then help promote these candidates during an election campaign. To be honest, I think we are far to apathetic to do something like this; but, the people working together to create their own platform would be a beautiful thing.

Feeling nostalgic. Portishead - Glory Box http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF-GvT8Clnk Check this out. Jack Whyte, Jimmy Page and The Edge chat about and play Seven Nation Army from the doc "It Might Get Loud" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8puk3kImA The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ilEvbl3Vv0 I've got to watch the whole film now.

I didn't intend to bash the beer. I had just over hyped it in my mind.

Such a great song. See ya Lou.

So what, if anything, needs to be changed either here or in the US to improve democracy? Also, what is the best way to achieve the kind of support necessary for to get it done? Do we need to tweak the electoral system or the parliamentary system? Do we need more checks and balances? Do we need more transparency and ways to shield policy makers from influence?

Are you asking me or Russell Brand? I personally participate in the democratic process while acknowledging its flaws and spend some of my time and money in an effort to improve it. Still, I see Brand's point. The system is dysfunctional and needs to be improved. The problem is, the people who benefit from the flaws are the ones with the power to change it. At some point we have to accept that this has gone on long enough and demand change. You seem to be a status quo guy on most topics, but maybe you have a few ideas that could improve democracy here. I see corporate influence especially in the US but also in Canada. Do the Conservatives here at MLW honestly think the oil industry isn't swaying government decisions in Canada? I don't blame big business for trying to changes the rules in their favour, I blame governments for putting corporations ahead of we, the people. The “world class” project is a perfect example of this. After gutting science funding for climate, freshwater research, ozone depletion, marine mammals, observatories, etc. the Harper government found $100M to research Enbridge specific interests. The public sector will now model waterways in the Kitimat region and test the effects of chemical dispersants on bitumen in marine environments. This is research that industry should be carrying out. Using the science budget to subsidize industry specific projects is exactly opposite of what we should be doing. Additionally, Oilsands projects will no longer be required to undergo environmental assessments.

Russell Brand is such a smart, funny and well spoken individual that I will take the time to listen to anything he has to say; even if I don't agree with it. Russel has gone political while guest editing an edition of the New Statesman magazine. Russell Brand on revolution: “We no longer have the luxury of tradition” I encourage you to read the article and watch this interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk After watching the interview I was struck by two things. One, even if I had a week to write, tweak and rehearse all of my responses I could not come off as sounding one tenth as eloquent as Russell does on the fly. Two, he has a very good effn' point! Is there any point to voting? Does money, and the expense of political ads, place all politicians with a hope of leading in the pockets of corporations? Is their only real job to placate the public while they carry out the wishes of their backers? Is it time for a revolution? While I read the article I kept thinking about how our current government has exempted oilsands projects from environmental reviews, attacked environmental charities, completely gutted environmental acts with a budget bill and turned the scientific research budget into an industry subsidy. I think Russell is spot on here. What can be done to free politicians from the shackles of corporate demands? What can be done to make our 'democracy' more representative of and responsive to the actual population? If we were to design an electoral and governance system today, to best represent the people in these times, what would it look like?

Of course...this isn't the actual case. Why waste time with posts like this?

Who has a favourite pumpkin ale? My favourite is the Highballer Pumpkin Ale by Grand River Brewing. It's a tiny brewery located in Southern Ontario and their reach isn't all that far so it will be hard to find. The owner actually grows the pumpkins himself. He also grows the hops that go into a few seasonal beers.

Aye it is very sad when you remember that Rob Ford has more constituents than the premiers or first ministers of 10 provinces and territories.

Canadian Tire Corp, Costco and the Catholic Church all have different incentives to return and thus maintain or increase mark share. CTC, rewards shoppers with Canadian Tire money. Costco charges a membership fee upfront which has been shown to create a powerful mental financial obligation to return. The RCC offers free soul cleansing through confession and indulgences like reduced purgatory time for those who participate in various events. Do any of these methods help attract your business?

Or in this case the vague and confusing expense rules could be reviewed and rewritten.

The home team can never do any wrong.