So, it is finally summer. A thunderstorm hammered the town last night so that makes sense. The kids don't actually seem to be learning anything at school, just trips trips trip so that makes sense. And you can't find anyone at work. The trifecta of summer's start. It was a busy week, too. Reports came in. Personnel shuffled. Outsourcing appointments were confirmed. And that was just at home.

• • Canada's national shame. We export death. Is this why Chuck quit?
• • Roger Ebert was right and everyone should say so. If the driver had lived he would have played "Jackass in Jail" for the rest of his life for killing his pal.
• • My kids really don't have this issue: "you call this toast?"
• • Senate reform? I don't understand how when a constitution has a section 23 that sets out qualifications of a senator that addig a qualification is not an amendment to the constitution.
• • The Feds did something else weird constitutionally recently that no one noticed. It passed a bill in the House and in the Senate before the Throne Speech to demonstrate the right to act without the leave of the Crown. Hmm.
• • North Carolina considers compensation for victims of state forced sterilizations under its eugenics program that lasted until the 70s. Is it time for Alberta to face its own past?
• • Speaking of the Senate, BC's new Premier seems to be bad with math: "“Twenty-four Senators for the entire western Canada? The economic engine for our country?” she scoffed." In the depths of the recession, Ontario dipped to 38% of GDP, more than BC, Alberta, Saskatchwan and Manitoba combined. Twenty-four seats for Ontario? A joke. And, besides, democracy requires representation by population not by oil wells.

There. That's a lot of bullets. Surely enough to hold you for now. Next week? Canada Day is on Friday. Expect a treat. Or much the same thing. Either one.