Monday, November 20th

1 - This marks the first time since June that I've been able to post more than once in a month. I am patting myself on the back.

2 - Warning, spoiler ahead!

I'm a big believer in the idea that pop culture reflects society, rather than shapes it. I also went to see the movie 'Borat' about a week ago (for those of you who don't know who 'Borat' is or what he does for a living click here). 'Borat' is a satirical movie, it's meant to mock society, and it crosses into previously forbidden territory, mocking a wide variety of untouchables from feminists to Jews. If you've seen the movie you know what scenes I'm talking about, if you haven't, then take my word for it. It's unlike anything hollywood has ever produced. However, what I find disturbing about this movie is not Borat's beliefs. He's portrayed as an uneducated hill-billy news reporter from the backwoods of outer Kazhakstan. The audience is supposed to laugh at Borat, not with him. No, what's really disturbing is the reaction of various people to Borat's views. Very rarely does anyone express any opposition to what he's saying. The only example I can think of are the feminists who become upset when Borat laughs at the idea of women recieving an education. They simply get up and walk out of the room, effectively ending the interview. One of them even says, "I don't have time for this." Good for her. Everyone one else either a) agrees and encourages him, or b) pretends nothing just happened. In fact, Borat receives a greater amount of negative reaction for trying to greet strangers with a kiss than he does walking into a gun shop and asking the propreitor which gun is the best for killings Jews. It is unclear whether any of the extra's in the movie are aware of Borat's antics, or if they think he's for real. After first viewing, it appears that many of them have no idea he's acting. That's disturbing. Our culture has been exposed for what it is: complacent. And it's been caught on camera. Our culture has become very adapt at putting on a good act while hiding what we truely think, and the fact that this has been revealed is very embarressing for many of the parties involved. The number of lawsuits that have been filed in the last several weeks alone are a testament to this. As a society, our complacency will be our downfall. It is our greatest weakness, is our desire to avoid any conflict at all, especially conflicting ideas and opinions, creates a society that does not desire to stand up for what is right and just. In it's place, we have the soceity that was portrayed in the film: say something wrong, and I'll simply ignore you and hope you go away.

3 - Grey Cup thoughts:

Complaint A: I don't normally critisize officiating, but count me in with the guys who think the refs more or less lost the game for the Montreal Alouettes. As this, and many other articles point out, the Al's played a terrible first half, and never even deserved to me that close in the first place. This whole situation could have been rectified had they played better to begin with, but after having that horrible start, the Al's needed a big play to turn things around. Well, they got one, when Dave Dickenson was stripped out the football, and Chip Cox ran it back for a TD. However, just as Cox was running for the endzone, a whistle was blown, and the play was ruled an incomlete pass. In quick succession, Montreal threw the challenge flag, and the call was overturned. It was ruled that Dickenson had in fact fumbled, and Montreal had recovered. Just one problem, according to the rules Cox would not get credit for a touchdown, instead Montreal would get the ball on their own 47. This isn't the first time a bad call has canceled a touchdown, but rarely has a bad call changed the momentum of a game the way that one did. B.C had all the momentum. Montreal needed a big play to get it back, and they got it, only to have a bad call significantly lower its impact. The missed call is understandable. It was close. But when you have something like video replay available, the refs should have simply let the play run its course, even if it did look like a fumble. Then let B.C. throw the challenge flag, and review the play. That way the refs get the call right, and the Al's get their touchdown, and in my humble opinion, win the Grey Cup, unless...

Complaint B: Jim Popp is the most respected GM in the league, but his decision not to challenge the Robert Edwards fumble late in the game will go down in the history books as easily the worst coaching decision of the season. I don't care if you think he fumbled the football, throw the stinkin flag unless you are absolutely 100% sure he did! This is what cost the Al's the game.

Complaint C: I like Paul McCallum, but he should not have been named Canadian MVP. 6-6 on field goals is good, but unless a kicker nails a longshot pressure cooker kick to win the game, he should not be the MVP, even in a Grey Cup as underwhelming as the last one. Want a Canadian MVP? How about middle linebacker Javy Glatt, who led the Lions with 8 tackles, recovered a fumble and forced another one when the game was on the line.

Complaint D: The CFL's gag rule which dis-allows other teams from making announcements that are not Grey Cup meant disgruntled Rider fans had to wait (and are still waiting) to hear the fate of Danny Barrett. I'm a big fan of the gag rule, I'm just glad it's no longer in effect.

Extended Complaint: Now it looks as if the Riders will refrain on making any announcements until the Vanier Cup is over. Curses!

4 - I'd like to think I had something to do with this decision. (#2) The Republicans have done a terrible job selling the war in Iraq to the voting public (and the drive-by media doesn't help). It would be a shame to see the Canadian Government go down that path. Fortuanetly they read my blog! (Sarcsim implied.)

5 - So Garth Turner is booted out of caucus and decides to sit as an independent. Fair enough. But should this independent canidate endorsing other candidates in a by-election? Doesn't this somehow compromise independancy? Turner refused to switch parties because he feels he would be betraying the voters who elected him. Is he betraying his constituets by endorsing a candidate from a party other than the one he ran with in the last election?

6 - Some quotes from the above article:

"Instead, he [Turner] wants to call attention to the fact the Harper government, which campaigned [on] accountability to voters, is operating in a secretive manner and squelches free speech."

If by secretive manner you mean holding private caucus meetings just like every other political party in Canada (except maybe the Rhino Party) where everything that's said inside stays inside, then yes, the Conservatives are operating in a secretive manner. Is Garth actually serious about this?

"It was that frank attitude — and willingness to share it — that is believed to have led to him being kicked out of the party last month."

It absolutely amazes me how quickly this version of the events has become accepted as fact, despite the severe lack of concrete evidence to support it. The fact is, if your frank attitude and willingness to share it is hurting your own party, why wouldn't they boot you out of caucus. Actually, if your constantly at odds with your own party, why wouldn't you just leave on your own accord?

7 - An Inconvenient Truth for Pro-Kyoto Crowd

I had a chance to hear Dr. Tim Ball speak once in Kindersley. He's a very smart man, very passionate about the enviroment. I think he finds it frustrating that other enviromentalists automatically believe he's a oil sands lap dog simply because he doesn't agree with the 'science of global warming.' Dr. Ball knows more about climate change than David Suzuki. He should be the go to guy if the media wants an informed climate change opinion. Furthermore, he should be advising the Conservatives on enviroment policy. He knows his stuff, and will debate it all night.

8 - Wow, talk about naive journalism:

"This whole idea that the Chinese didn't want to discuss human rights seems a little odd," said Smith. "Prime Minister Chretien used to always promise to raise human rights, and he still got meetings with the Chinese."

Of course Chretien promised to raise human rights and still got meetings. The Chinese aren't worried because Harper has publicly mused about sticking it to China, there worried because he might actually walk the walk after he talks the talk. Promising is one thing, doing is something completely different. I find this piece a little sloppy.

9 - I think this poll says more about Saskatchewan than any cheesy centennial song could ever hope to. According to those distinguished, highly-respected pollsters at pokerroom.com, Saskatchewan residents voted Don Cherry as the 'best potential' Canadian James Bond. Donavan Baily took first place honors in the nation wide poll, with Stephen Harper and Peter Mansbridge tied for a distant second.

10 - More proof that the Edmonton Eskimo's are trying to by respectability:

"According to the rumour mill, stud defensive tackle Doug Brown hasn't re-signed in Winnipeg because he's waiting to see what happens with assistant coach Greg Marshall. If Brown hits the free-agent market, the Esks are bound to make a serious pitch."

And to think I actually felt sorry for these guys.

11 - Notice the differing headlines for what is essentially the same story. Both are technically correct, but only one will scare the manure out of swing voters. Whatever happened to taking a neutral tone?

12 - I've really been picking on the media in this post, so why stop know. There's nothing that screams bias like an article that makes heavy use of un-named 'critics':

"But critics say even information about Harper's much-publicized meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao was delayed and vague."

These critics really sound like other journalists. This kind of stuff doesn't belong in a news story, it belongs in an editorial!

13 - And finally, last but not least, it pains me to say this, but I have been outed. All of my secrets are on display for the world to see. It is a sad day. Cheers.

Man on Fire