Friday, November 4th,...

1 - Today is a historic day in the world of M.O.F. The first preseason game in the history of the E.C.F.H.A. was played today. Congradulations to The End Times Hockey Battalion who came out on top with a 10-1 win. The regular season opens on Sunday.

2 - Today's qoute come's from former New York Rangers GM Emile Francis, who was less than thrilled with the ice at Madison Square Garden:

'I've seen better ice on roads in Saskatchewan!"

3 - Red Green has decided to call it quits. Actor Steve Smith says he's ready to move on, but Man on Fire is not. We'll miss you Red. (Note to readers, the last official episode of Red Green will be aired in March)

4 - Here's a story you might appreciate. October 5th, 2005, Toronto's Air Canada Centre. It's opening night in the NHL. After a year long lockout, the game is back and the players are ready to go. Just one problem. The visiting Ottawa Senators can't get into the building because someone lost the key. Says Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson, 'I thought the lockout was over.'

5 - Man on Fire is not impressed with Macleans', Canada's version of Newsweek, for it's proud defense of hazing. Check out this article by Tony Keller on Macleans' website. Then check out this article by Georgie Binks. Keller says hazing and bullying are different, but never gives any evidence to support his point. Binks, however, makes a strong case against hazing by comparing it to what happened at Abu Ghraib prison. Based on these two articles we are still against hazing. Oh, on the Macleans' website is another article about hazing, claiming that people who endure hazing become proud of their accomplishments. Binks squashes that theory too. M.O.F. is impressed.

6 - While Macleans is down, we may as well kick them. We weren't real impressed with their earlier issue about the so called 'Age of Wimps'. Macleans, like Georgie Binks, has noticed that Canadian men are a shadow of their former selves. It is conmendable that Macleans noticed their is a problem, but we disagree with their solution. Their bashing of the Canadian Tire Man was weak to. Man on Fire is no Canadian Tire fan, but in our opinion, that article was shallow. Check it out here. It's hard to believe Assistant Editor John Intini has nothing better to do with his time.

7 - Having said that, we'd like to know where the Canadian Tire Man gets all his money to purchase his cool, and extremely expensive, tools. If Macleans wants to attack his credibility, that would be a valid question.

8 - As far as Man on Fire is concerned, CBC journalist Jim Reed will not be taken seriously until further notice. Notice the opening paragraph, which says Iran's true feelings towards Israel were not expressed by its hardline conservative government. We wish that were true, but we wonder what 'real powers in Iran' Reed is talking about. If the guy elected by a majority to form a government is not the real power, that's a cause for concern.

9 - Man on Fire is confused. Roughly a week ago two French teenagers were electrocuted by transformers while hiding from police. In response teenagers from Paris' suberbs riot. Now this article by Victor Tonelli asserts that 'their frustration at high unemployment and the perception they lack economic oportunities' is partly to blame. He also states that the riots were caused by the two deaths. We fail to see how this all fits together, and would appreciate some enlightenment, since nobody in the media is providing it.

10 - It's that time of year again: CFL play-offs. But before that the league has to pick its Most Outstanding Player. The hometowner in us wants Corey Holmes to win. The diminutive running back/kick returner/slot back has seen and done it all for the Riders. But as much as it pains us to say this, we're giving it to a member of the Toronto Argonauts. Stand-up and take a bow Damon Allen. Allen will win the award regardless of whether or not he deserves it. Why? He's been in the leauge since the 80's and he's never won the M.O.P. Can you say sentimental favourite?

For our final note, we will take one final shot at hazing. Top arguement for hazing, if the players support it, let them do it (see Macleans). We wonder why nobody ever says the same thing when talking about visors or the instigator rule, but that's another random thought for another day. Take care.

Man on Fire