Sharing from you to me that is...
- Things are going well here in the snow belt. I think we had more snow in the last 12 hours than in the last two winters. Good for the Christmassy feeling. We are not going totally insane with the shopping this year and all but one package to be mailed has been sent. I have bought less from the internet this year, all at amazon. Because we started early I wanted to actually have a human experience for the most part. Any tricks to share for the last week?
- The CBC gig has been interesting so far. It is particularly neat to see how change in a couple of elements of the structure changes your approach. There are no comments and posts are checked by an editor. That is quite fine - not so many spelling mistakes - but it means it is more like writing a short daily column than a chatting area like this space. Right now the site looks like it has been hacked but I think it is just getting some early morning maintenance. No massive bump in stats although the beer blog is up a bit.
- On a more serious note, it is shocking to read that the Iraqis had al-Zarqawi in its possession but let him go earlier this year.
Iraqi security forces caught the most wanted man in the country last year, but released him because they didn't know who he was, the Iraqi deputy minister of interior said Thursday. Hussain Kamal confirmed that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -- the al Qaeda in Iraq leader who has a $25 million bounty on his head -- was in custody at some point last year, but he wouldn't provide further details.
It sure was handy that Hitler had that funny moustache so people knew who he was. I suppose these things happen. On the upside, as Jay notes, yesterday was a great day of the Iraqis. - And I watched a bit of the first debate last night but was stunned how dull the process was, no face-to-face argument, kinda what I think of when I think of the word "debate".
Stephen Harper has now said he would not use the notwithstanding clause in section 33 of thge Charter to over-ride same sex marriage. He has also said he would allow those already married to remain so. This leave a really weird position where person "X" would supposedly have their rights recognized but person "Y"...or maybe "X2...would not depending on the date of application for a marriage license. Seeing as this is patently unconstitutional treatment - a discriminatory difference without a purpose - do not expect the courts to uphold it and, without use of the over-ride clause, expect it to fail. Are the socons that easily fooled? I would think this would be as offensive to them as the Tory spending spree would be to fiscal conservatives. No word yet from the neo-me-o-cons but they have a hard time breaking away from the mirror long enough to notice the real world.
Comments
hans - December 16, 2005 9:22 AM
nice work on the CBC thing; your latin is really improving. its almost as good as that other blogger ipsum lorum. but like i always say: "per ardua ad astra!".
Alan - December 16, 2005 10:23 AM
Here is an interesting quotation from a <i>New York Times</i> story this morning:<blockquote class="smalltext">The White House asked The New York Times not to publish this article, arguing that it could jeopardize continuing investigations and alert would-be terrorists that they might be under scrutiny. After meeting with senior administration officials to hear their concerns, the newspaper delayed publication <b>for a year</b> to conduct additional reporting. Some information that administration officials argued could be useful to terrorists has been omitted.</blockquote>
Don - December 16, 2005 1:15 PM
What's up with the roundtable? I want to hear Glyn's insightful take on the debate!
Alan - December 16, 2005 1:25 PM
Me no know. I think there are widgets behind the disruption.
Glyn (Zaphod) Evans - December 16, 2005 1:29 PM
Ha! Yeah I am waiting to post a bit about Quebec and Canada. I didn't listen or watch last night, but tonight I will :) The Habs were on the radio last night, in a feeble display against the Oilers.
Alan, you are right. It is like a column instead of a forum, but I suspect they do not want to have a full-time person moderating comments... and they would likely need one :D
Alan - December 16, 2005 1:33 PM
I will have to think about what to write tonight. That is the interesting thing compared to this medium. I never think about what I write here before I start writing. I am sure it shows but for me that is part of the point. These are not essays so much as idle thoughts. The CBC roundtable allows for more forethought so it is a different experience and I think creates a bit of a different form of expression.
Glyn (Zaphod) Evans - December 16, 2005 1:41 PM
Well I find it very different for me. Consider that my usual somewhat small audience is used to my style, and the way I like to insert sarcasm or down-to-earth verbage into some of my posts, but now I have a pretty much new audience!
It is exciting though. Tonight's debate should be interesting! I am glad they have such a diverse group there. I think they picked me because I am new to the scene :)
Alan - December 16, 2005 1:45 PM
It is your diverse use of the parenthesis buttons on the keyboard that they love, Glyn.
Don - December 16, 2005 1:49 PM
Glyn - what the heck is up with the Pole Dancer on your site?
Glyn (Zaphod) Evans - December 16, 2005 2:22 PM
I'm glad you asked Don! I paint 28mm miniatures as a hobby and sell some on eBay or to private collectors :)
Alan - I am working on solidifying the use of said parenthesis buttons :)
Alan - December 16, 2005 2:27 PM
It is a wonder to behold to those of us who strive to improve their parenthetical skills.
Now, tell us how you got in to 28 mm miniature art. Low overheard?
Don - December 16, 2005 2:33 PM
Yeah - but specifically the pole dancer - aren't they used for DnD role playing?
Glyn (Zaphod) Evans - December 16, 2005 2:38 PM
I will use more parenthetical skills here... :D
Anyhow, yeah, I started playing D&D way back when I was wee... and we used the miniatures for gaming. Maybe 5 or so years ago, I discovered the on-line community and realised that my skills (they were similar to those displayed by the 40 Year Old Virgin) were really poor. Now I tend to paint at an international competition level of skill, though my interest in the hobby has taken a back seat to current events.
Glyn (Zaphod) Evans - December 16, 2005 2:39 PM
Specifically, the poledancer was done for money. I rarely paint nude miniatures as I always liked the armor and such. But this one went to the same collector who had purchased another "nude" I did... Worked out quite well :)
Alan - December 16, 2005 3:46 PM
The <i>Toronto Star</i>'s blog is down, too, apparently also running on Typepad.
cm - December 16, 2005 5:50 PM
Slactivist also uses Typepad and is currently back to December 8. I detect a conspiracy...