But really, in this day and age, is one really surprised...?
(I'm not.)
"Publicly, he has served as Blackwater’s C.E.O. and chairman... Privately, and secretly, he has been doing the C.I.A.’s bidding... Prince, according to sources with knowledge of his activities, has been working as a C.I.A. asset: in a word, as a spy."
Yuck.
This is what they're ADMITTING to. Imagine what they're not...
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Support for Gaetan
Come Out To Support Gaetan In His Refusal To Leave The Downtown East!
DATE: Monday, December 7th, 2009
TIME: 9 a.m.
PLACE: Street Health
338 Dundas Street East
(just east of Sherbourne, on Dundas St., north side)
"Please join us in supporting Gaetan Heroux, a deeply respected,
much-loved, and invaluable mentor, leader, and friend in the struggle for dignity and justice for homeless and poor people, who has been a front-line worker at Dundas and Sherbourne for the past 20 years. Gaetan has provided ID clinics and drop-in services, and fostered deep relationships with community members, for years - all of this is now in jeopardy.
By moving Gaetan, his employer, Neighbourhood Link, in apparent
cooperation with Street Health management, will effectively deny people access to a service that is essential to their lives. What will happen to people who need to access their ID outside of clinic hours? What will happen to people who cannot afford or are literally unable to travel to Scarborough? What will happen to people who urgently need their ID, to access social assistance or PNA, who need to be within walking distance of the PAID Project in order to meet their basic needs? Will people be provided with the transit fares they cannot afford, in order to travel to Scarborough? What about the additional essential support people have gained by accessing Street Health for other services, when they have come to the agency to access Gaetan?
...Since March 2009, Street Health has lost over 50 years
(at least 12 staff members) of experience and connection with the
community it serves."
Read more at the OCAP link above.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Oh great, well that's just nice...
"Microsoft Denies Windows 7 Has NSA Backdoor"
Oh great...
"Earlier this week Tom's Hardware US learned that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been working with Microsoft to improve the security measures of Windows 7.
This cooperation by the two bodies led some to theorize that the NSA and Microsoft may have somehow built a backdoor into Windows 7."
Of course, there's denials...
"The key point is that the NSA is not the right agency to promote computer security in the private sector," Rotenberg argued. "The risks to end users are real -- the original NSA key escrow proposal, 'Clipper,' was a terrible idea -- and there is too little transparency about these arrangements."
Links:-
Microsoft Denies Windows 7 Has NSA Backdoor
NSA Helping with Windows 7 Security
Oh great...
"Earlier this week Tom's Hardware US learned that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been working with Microsoft to improve the security measures of Windows 7.
This cooperation by the two bodies led some to theorize that the NSA and Microsoft may have somehow built a backdoor into Windows 7."
Of course, there's denials...
"The key point is that the NSA is not the right agency to promote computer security in the private sector," Rotenberg argued. "The risks to end users are real -- the original NSA key escrow proposal, 'Clipper,' was a terrible idea -- and there is too little transparency about these arrangements."
Links:-
Microsoft Denies Windows 7 Has NSA Backdoor
NSA Helping with Windows 7 Security
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Report: 237 millionaires in Congress
Jeez.
Representing the common man, eh? Far from it...
Report: 237 millionaires in Congress
And you know it's probably the same north of the border...
Representing the common man, eh? Far from it...
Report: 237 millionaires in Congress
And you know it's probably the same north of the border...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Parkdale Tenants Association Dates
SEPTEMBER 18 (Friday) at 5:30 PM: meet at Parkdale Legal to flyer 3 buildings [ address confidential] in preparation for a mass tenant meeting
SEPTEMBER 19 (Saturday) at 12:30 PM : The Parkdale Road Show and Hip Hop Show
Set up at 12:30 outside the Parkdale Legal Clinic.
SEPTEMBER 19 (Saturday) at 12:30 PM : The Parkdale Road Show and Hip Hop Show
Set up at 12:30 outside the Parkdale Legal Clinic.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Summitt Energy shock in Parkdale
July 10, 2009
Did this happen to you?
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/power_of_persuasion/main.html
On Thursday, July 2, Summitt Energy sent an agent to my house in Parkdale who said his company was my current energy provider and he wanted to see my electricity bill.
I asked him specifically if this company was private or was run by the province. By the province he said and all he wanted to do was check my bill to tell me about energy rate savings.
I showed him my Enbridge gas bill instead and he said that I needed to sign a form in order to get information about energy rate changes.
I signed based on this information and later read the fine print to find that everything this agent claimed was a lie.
The form I had signed is an agreement to a five year contract with Summit Energy, a private retail energy company, for BOTH my gas and electricity at a higher rate than
we are currently paying today. And Summitt Energy is NOT my current energy provider for either electricity or gas.
After discussing this with my partner, we went straight to the provincial Consumer Protection branch website to find out how to cancel this contract.
Ontario law provides consumers with a 10 day "cool down" period where you can cancel any contract signed for goods and services.
After reading this, I called Summitt Energy. I told the phone agent I wanted to cancel this contract immediately. He instructed me to wait 10 days and to call after this period to cancel the agreement.
I promptly wrote a cancellation letter based on examples provided on the consumer protection branch website
http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/ConsProt/STEL02_167849.html
and sent the letter to an email address on the Summitt Energy contract form while cc'ing my member of provincial parliament, Cheri Di Novo.
The following Monday morning at about 10 am I called the Ontario Consumer Protection branch about my complaint against Summitt Energy. They advised me to call the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) that handles complaints in the energy industry.
I called them and they transferred me to a consumer service agent.
I explained the situation to the agent and he said that what I signed with Summitt Energy was not a contract at all. The agent expressed frustration with me at having to repeat that what I signed was NOT a legally binding contract and it would become legal ONLY if I reaffirmed this agreement by phone when Summitt Energy calls after 10 days.
The OEB agent said this reaffirmation phone call is in place to protect consumers from whatever happened at the door. He said that if I do not want to reaffirm to simply say, "no, I am not interested" and they cannot legally put me in their plan.
I asked him if there was any regulation against door-to-door solicitation of these companies who are getting signed agreements based on false statements.
He said there are clear stipulations against making false statements but that unless I had a recording of the false statements made by the agent, it is the company's word against mine.
And in terms of door-to-door solicitation of these companies, the OEB said that's their business and the OEB does not have any regulations against that.
On Tuesday, July 7, Summitt Energy emailed me with a cancellation of contract confirmation "with no penalty".
Welcome to the "Free Market".
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/568546
T his week, the Ontario Energy Board said it intends to fine Universal Energy $200,000 and Summitt Energy $100,000 for unfair practices in the sale of energy contracts.
http://www.buildinghomes.ca/community/forums/showthread.php?t=2974
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=671535
Did this happen to you?
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/power_of_persuasion/main.html
On Thursday, July 2, Summitt Energy sent an agent to my house in Parkdale who said his company was my current energy provider and he wanted to see my electricity bill.
I asked him specifically if this company was private or was run by the province. By the province he said and all he wanted to do was check my bill to tell me about energy rate savings.
I showed him my Enbridge gas bill instead and he said that I needed to sign a form in order to get information about energy rate changes.
I signed based on this information and later read the fine print to find that everything this agent claimed was a lie.
The form I had signed is an agreement to a five year contract with Summit Energy, a private retail energy company, for BOTH my gas and electricity at a higher rate than
we are currently paying today. And Summitt Energy is NOT my current energy provider for either electricity or gas.
After discussing this with my partner, we went straight to the provincial Consumer Protection branch website to find out how to cancel this contract.
Ontario law provides consumers with a 10 day "cool down" period where you can cancel any contract signed for goods and services.
After reading this, I called Summitt Energy. I told the phone agent I wanted to cancel this contract immediately. He instructed me to wait 10 days and to call after this period to cancel the agreement.
I promptly wrote a cancellation letter based on examples provided on the consumer protection branch website
http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/ConsProt/STEL02_167849.html
and sent the letter to an email address on the Summitt Energy contract form while cc'ing my member of provincial parliament, Cheri Di Novo.
The following Monday morning at about 10 am I called the Ontario Consumer Protection branch about my complaint against Summitt Energy. They advised me to call the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) that handles complaints in the energy industry.
I called them and they transferred me to a consumer service agent.
I explained the situation to the agent and he said that what I signed with Summitt Energy was not a contract at all. The agent expressed frustration with me at having to repeat that what I signed was NOT a legally binding contract and it would become legal ONLY if I reaffirmed this agreement by phone when Summitt Energy calls after 10 days.
The OEB agent said this reaffirmation phone call is in place to protect consumers from whatever happened at the door. He said that if I do not want to reaffirm to simply say, "no, I am not interested" and they cannot legally put me in their plan.
I asked him if there was any regulation against door-to-door solicitation of these companies who are getting signed agreements based on false statements.
He said there are clear stipulations against making false statements but that unless I had a recording of the false statements made by the agent, it is the company's word against mine.
And in terms of door-to-door solicitation of these companies, the OEB said that's their business and the OEB does not have any regulations against that.
On Tuesday, July 7, Summitt Energy emailed me with a cancellation of contract confirmation "with no penalty".
Welcome to the "Free Market".
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/568546
http://www.buildinghomes.ca/community/forums/showthread.php?t=2974
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=671535
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Holy Strike, Batman!
CUPE's off, and it looks like they're taking the city with them.
Think your garbage is going somewhere? Think again.
Wanna go to the islands now that it's summer? Forget it.
Want to go to work FROM the islands? Nope.
Wanna get married? Best not be a civil ceremony.
But really; if someone wanted to mess with your sick days, what would YOU do if you had a fighting chance?
Think your garbage is going somewhere? Think again.
Wanna go to the islands now that it's summer? Forget it.
Want to go to work FROM the islands? Nope.
Wanna get married? Best not be a civil ceremony.
But really; if someone wanted to mess with your sick days, what would YOU do if you had a fighting chance?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Suggested reading
The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy, Yves Engler, Fernwood/RED Publishing, $24.95
The public image of Canada’s primary role internationally has been as peacekeeper or honest broker in difficult-to-solve disputes. But, contrary to the mythology of Canada as a force for good in the world, The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy sheds light on many dark corners: from troops that joined the British in Sudan in 1885 to gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean and aspirations of Central American empire, to participation in the U.N. mission that killed Patrice Lumumba in the Congo, to important support for apartheid South Africa, Zionism and the U.S. war in Vietnam, to helping overthrow Salvador Allende and supporting the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, to Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan today.
The public image of Canada’s primary role internationally has been as peacekeeper or honest broker in difficult-to-solve disputes. But, contrary to the mythology of Canada as a force for good in the world, The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy sheds light on many dark corners: from troops that joined the British in Sudan in 1885 to gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean and aspirations of Central American empire, to participation in the U.N. mission that killed Patrice Lumumba in the Congo, to important support for apartheid South Africa, Zionism and the U.S. war in Vietnam, to helping overthrow Salvador Allende and supporting the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, to Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan today.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Narratives on Mental Wellness and Healing
Alternatives invites you to attend a presentation and discussion addressing art, creativity and recovery
Special guests Susan Schellenberg and psychologist Rosemary Barnes, co-authors of "Committed to the Sane asylum: Narratives on Mental Wellness and Healing at Danforth-Coxwell Public Library, 2nd Floor 1675 Danforth Avenue, East of Coxwell/S. side of Danforth Avenue.
1:30 -3:30
Tuesday June 9th
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Economic recovery is wishful thinking
I think this is probably one of the more realistic detailings of the current economic climate. Check this out.Goodies:-
"These reports might have led to gloomy news stories, but not in the US media. The folks who could not see an $8tn housing bubble are still determined to find the silver lining in even the worst economic news.
For example, National Public Radio told listeners that the new home sales figure reported for April was up from the March level. While this was true, the April figure was only 1,000 higher than a March level that had just been revised down by 5,000. April new home sales were 4,000 below the sales level that had originally been reported for March. USA Today touted a "surge" in durable goods orders, which was also based on a sharp downward revision to the prior month's data.
The media have obviously abandoned economic reporting and instead have adopted the role of cheerleader, touting whatever good news it can find and inventing good news when none can be found. This leaves the responsibility of reporting on the economy to others."
Next goody, here:-
"If You Are Stressed Now, Just Wait
Policymakers Have Created A Perfect Storm
The next shoe to drop will be the dollar’s loss of the reserve currency role. Then the US, an import-dependent country, will no longer be able to pay for its imports. Shortages will worsen price inflation and disrupt deliveries."
Keep grounded.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Minorities not making it to the top
Just 13 per cent of GTA leaders are visible minorities, relative to 49.5% of the population studied in the region, finds a report released on Wednesday by Ryerson University's Diversity Institute on behalf of Diverse City: The Greater Toronto Leadership Project.The report is the first to look across sectors and to provide a bench mark of how well the region's visible minorities are reflected in its senior leadership roles
Friday, May 29, 2009
Toronto tenants link now Ontario Tenants.ca
Yahoo's taking a beating; Geocities is going to be pushing up daisies soon, and this resourceful link has moved.
Plus Bob's got more goodies over there than you can shake a stick at.
Check links at left
Meetings
City Hall Re: Rooming houses. Asking for a new zoning, 23rd of June 10 a.m. Committee room #1
Thursday, May 28, 2009
WTF @ CKLN
And just what the !@$ is happening over at CKLN?
Turned on the radio to the dial, and heard dead air...
Talked with a couple persons and they're concerned about the programming...
...finding out Black Krishna's no longer over there...
Demo, June 13th
Summer's around the corner, no excuse to stay indoors, let the demos begin!
Good Jobs For All
It's Time
-To fix E.I.
-To protect pensions
-For strong public services
-To put people before banks
Saturday, June 13th, 1pm
Metro Hall, downtown Toronto at King & John
Rally starts at 1:00 pm.m. march to follow
Bring flags, noisemakers, family & friends
Back
Well, it's back.Probably won't be gone again.
Should take a few months, but it'll get back on the radar.
New back-end code as well; all the pretty stuff I had customized, poofta?
Bah...!
Oh, well. Here we go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)