Continuing the automotive theme, TDPC is considering the purchase of a mid-life crisis motorcycle. I used to ride one as a youth back in the old country and I'm looking to get back in the saddle. With a 70km each way commute along twisty county roads, I'm looking for a commuter bike with sporty handling and touring comfort, as well as something that won't fall over when I get home to my own dirt road.
So far, the only bike I can find that really seems to fit the bill is the Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom, which seems to be a successful sports-tourer hybrid, not too large for someone who is, if not a new rider, coming back to bikes after more than 20 years.
Any readers who have other suggestions, or experience or comments on the V-Strom, advice would be welcome.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Return of the Hamster
Canadian viewers finally got to see the return of Richard Hammond to BBC's Top Gear this Sunday. Although we already knew he was safe and well and back at work, it was still a special TV moment. Hammond seems in fine form, although he looks as though he's aged a bit and I noticed they didn't have him doing much driving or strenuous work.
With these days of universal nanny-state and global warming hot air, it was good to know that Top Gear will remain 'three ordinary blokes cocking around in cars'. When the rest of the media has gone wall-to-wall green, with their unquestioning adulation of all things Gore, I take solace from the fact that Jeremy Clarkson will be the last to give in to either the left-wing nanny state or the global warming bandwagon. There will always be a voice of reason, and there will always be excessive speed, tire smoke and wasteful gasoline consumption in at least one corner of the BBC.
With these days of universal nanny-state and global warming hot air, it was good to know that Top Gear will remain 'three ordinary blokes cocking around in cars'. When the rest of the media has gone wall-to-wall green, with their unquestioning adulation of all things Gore, I take solace from the fact that Jeremy Clarkson will be the last to give in to either the left-wing nanny state or the global warming bandwagon. There will always be a voice of reason, and there will always be excessive speed, tire smoke and wasteful gasoline consumption in at least one corner of the BBC.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Man Eating Badgers: Layton Urges Negotiation
Reports that man-eating badgers have been deployed in the southern Iraqi city of Basra are being denied by official British sources. However, a witness interviewed by the Associated Press has said that his mother's sister's cousin has a friend whose father's wife's aunt knows someone who has seen at least 12 Iraqis mauled by the ferocious beasts.
In Canada, Liberal leader Stephane Dion called for the withdrawal of the badgers by 2009, citing environmental concerns. "Use of the badger population in this way is not sustenable," he told journalists. "We should be seeking alternatives and looking for renewable sources of animal weaponry."
NDP leader Jack Layton urged negotiation with the badgers. "We need to sit down with these badgers, listen to what they have to say and come up with a compromise. Perhaps all they really want is to be fed some stray dogs and this will stop them attacking innocent civilians."
UPDATE: TDPC welcomes readers of RedTory's most excellent blog. Come in, enjoy yourselves, meet the corgis. They don't bite unless you're virulently socialist.
UPDATER: On that note, please amend the last sentence of the above post to 'stray cats'.
In Canada, Liberal leader Stephane Dion called for the withdrawal of the badgers by 2009, citing environmental concerns. "Use of the badger population in this way is not sustenable," he told journalists. "We should be seeking alternatives and looking for renewable sources of animal weaponry."
NDP leader Jack Layton urged negotiation with the badgers. "We need to sit down with these badgers, listen to what they have to say and come up with a compromise. Perhaps all they really want is to be fed some stray dogs and this will stop them attacking innocent civilians."
UPDATE: TDPC welcomes readers of RedTory's most excellent blog. Come in, enjoy yourselves, meet the corgis. They don't bite unless you're virulently socialist.
UPDATER: On that note, please amend the last sentence of the above post to 'stray cats'.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
Ottawa's 'Doctor Hope' Raided
Slipping under the radar in May was news from the Ottawa Police that they assisted the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in executing a search warrant at a premises on Fifth Avenue, in the Glebe. By coincidence, this is where the offices of the Canadian Cancer Research Group are located. The press release:
News Releases Ottawa Police Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 11, 2007, 10:40 am
Ottawa Police Service assisted Investigators of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario(Ottawa)
On Thursday May 10th at 10:00 am the Ottawa Police Service assisted in the execution of a warrant by Investigators with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act. The warrant was executed at a business located on Fifth Ave. No arrest were made and no charges were laid.
The investigation is ongoing by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act
Contact: Detective Mitch Proteau
Ottawa Police Service Central East District Investigations
613-236-1222 ext 5636
CTV's W-FIVE aired an award winning show about the activities of the CCRG under the title 'Doctor Hope' a while back, and for anyone interested in health issues and quackery, it's worth a watch. Those of us who have followed the activities of the CCRG for several years are pleased to see this development.
h/t to Bayblab.
News Releases Ottawa Police Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 11, 2007, 10:40 am
Ottawa Police Service assisted Investigators of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario(Ottawa)
On Thursday May 10th at 10:00 am the Ottawa Police Service assisted in the execution of a warrant by Investigators with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act. The warrant was executed at a business located on Fifth Ave. No arrest were made and no charges were laid.
The investigation is ongoing by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act
Contact: Detective Mitch Proteau
Ottawa Police Service Central East District Investigations
613-236-1222 ext 5636
CTV's W-FIVE aired an award winning show about the activities of the CCRG under the title 'Doctor Hope' a while back, and for anyone interested in health issues and quackery, it's worth a watch. Those of us who have followed the activities of the CCRG for several years are pleased to see this development.
h/t to Bayblab.
And..... We're Back!
Fresh from dealing with a bunch of personal situations which have interfered with blogging for the last month, TDPC returns. And what a month it's been; time to catch up.
First, tragedy in Montague, with the death of Korie-Lyn Edwards, the 17-month old mauled by her family's Rottweiler / Shepherd cross on Canada Day. Our hearts go out to the family in their loss, and to the emergency workers and animal control officials who were faced with this situation. Montague is a tight-knit community, despite any differences which may persist, and we hope the Edwards family is receiving the support and encouragement they need at this time.
Second, a memo to those who are supposedly offended by the Pope's recent decision to encourage (or rather to be less discouraging of) the use of the Latin Mass. Shrieks of protest over this move (from non-Catholics, who apparently feel they still have a right to write liturgy for someone else's religion). Get over it people. The Mass is centuries old and to pick one line from all the prayers in all the Masses for all the days of the year and deliberately twist its intentions is plain stupid. Get a thicker skin, grow up and deal. Frankly, in this day and age you should be grateful any time anyone prays for you. Thanks for listening.
Third: Support Our Troops day in Carleton Place, Ont. this Sunday. Details here. TDPC will be represented by yours truly and at least one Pupperel, and possibly some corgis as well. This is a major event with the Central Band of the Canadian Forces, pipe bands, the local concert band, etc. If you're anywhere close, put on the red and come out to this event; the troops need our support more than ever in these days of mounting casualties and Taliban Jack.
Fourth: Did anyone else notice that CBC Radio reported Mr. Justice Kirkland telling native leader Shawn Brant that he 'admired and respected' him, before denying him bail? This echos a scene in David Attenborough's Gandhi where a British judge regretfully consigns Gandhi to one of his spells in British custody. Sadly for Mr. Justice Kirkland, however, Shawn Brant is no Gandhi; he is by his own admission the leader of an armed militant insurgency, and proud to have earned the label 'terrorist' in that famous DND report. If our politicians won't act to control such a man and the criminals he leads, and our judges openly express admiration for him... well... I'll be bailing out of the handbasket before it gets to its final destination, thanks.
That's it for now... hopefully I'll be back on a more regular basis from now on.
First, tragedy in Montague, with the death of Korie-Lyn Edwards, the 17-month old mauled by her family's Rottweiler / Shepherd cross on Canada Day. Our hearts go out to the family in their loss, and to the emergency workers and animal control officials who were faced with this situation. Montague is a tight-knit community, despite any differences which may persist, and we hope the Edwards family is receiving the support and encouragement they need at this time.
Second, a memo to those who are supposedly offended by the Pope's recent decision to encourage (or rather to be less discouraging of) the use of the Latin Mass. Shrieks of protest over this move (from non-Catholics, who apparently feel they still have a right to write liturgy for someone else's religion). Get over it people. The Mass is centuries old and to pick one line from all the prayers in all the Masses for all the days of the year and deliberately twist its intentions is plain stupid. Get a thicker skin, grow up and deal. Frankly, in this day and age you should be grateful any time anyone prays for you. Thanks for listening.
Third: Support Our Troops day in Carleton Place, Ont. this Sunday. Details here. TDPC will be represented by yours truly and at least one Pupperel, and possibly some corgis as well. This is a major event with the Central Band of the Canadian Forces, pipe bands, the local concert band, etc. If you're anywhere close, put on the red and come out to this event; the troops need our support more than ever in these days of mounting casualties and Taliban Jack.
Fourth: Did anyone else notice that CBC Radio reported Mr. Justice Kirkland telling native leader Shawn Brant that he 'admired and respected' him, before denying him bail? This echos a scene in David Attenborough's Gandhi where a British judge regretfully consigns Gandhi to one of his spells in British custody. Sadly for Mr. Justice Kirkland, however, Shawn Brant is no Gandhi; he is by his own admission the leader of an armed militant insurgency, and proud to have earned the label 'terrorist' in that famous DND report. If our politicians won't act to control such a man and the criminals he leads, and our judges openly express admiration for him... well... I'll be bailing out of the handbasket before it gets to its final destination, thanks.
That's it for now... hopefully I'll be back on a more regular basis from now on.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
CanWest Steals Your Money
We've been on a spring-cleaning, simplifying and cost-cutting exercise at TDPC HQ recently, part of which was the decision to cancel a subscription to the Ottawa Citizen. Commonly this happens in the summer coincident with the end of woodstove season; we subscribe to the firelighting publication again as winter draws near.
With this seasonal cancellation I have been able to build up a pattern of billing practices from the Citizen that is consistent. Here's the deal. You pay your subscription by direct debit from a chequing account. A monthly payment is taken in advance from the bank and the newspaper arrives on the doorstep each morning. This part works.
With this seasonal cancellation I have been able to build up a pattern of billing practices from the Citizen that is consistent. Here's the deal. You pay your subscription by direct debit from a chequing account. A monthly payment is taken in advance from the bank and the newspaper arrives on the doorstep each morning. This part works.
I've now cancelled a subscription four times and my experience has been the same every time. Cancelling is the easy part. The newspaper stops coming the next day. However, the billing continues. In the latest example, I cancelled well before the end of May, having been billed on May 19th for the coming month. Yesterday I was billed again - only this time I have just changed banks from TD to Scotia, so I incurred a $37.50 NSF charge on the old TD account, courtesy of CanWest.
On investigating with the Citizen's customer service line, it turns out that after the payment on the 19th May, there was a credit of $20 on my account - but their policy is that they don't return credit balances unless the customer asks. The customer service agent denied the new billing for June could have taken place, because it didn't show on the account. This might be because it was returned NSF?? I'm faxing the proof and hopefully we'll get that money back too. This has happened every time I cancel; it's always taken about 8 weeks to get them to stop billing and get our money back.
But how many other cancelled subscriptions have left credit balances in accounts and how much does the Citizen make from this fraudulent practice? How long do those balances sit waiting to be claimed before being absorbed into CanWest profit? Is this standard across all CanWest publications? Comments welcome from other cities...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Bill Casselman The Word Guy: Who Knew?
I'm an occasional reader of Canadian Geographic magazine and have had occasion therefore to read occasional amusing and enlightening columns on Canadian words and figures of speech from Bill Casselman, author of several books on the subject.
Funnily enough I always pictured Mr. Casselman as an educated, kindly sort of chap whose affection for language was probably reflected in an equal affection for Canada and for people in general. I think many readers of Mr. Casselman's other work will therefore be surprised to discover that he is in fact a raving loony left moonbat with a fondess for profanity. Who knew?
Important Safety Recall
Federal Products International is announcing a safety recall on certain items manufactured at their Ottawa, Ontario facility on March 19, 2007.
Equalization Formula manufactured on this date may be subject to spontaneous combustion and explosion. Several cases have been reported in the maritimes and one in Saskatchewan. No deaths have been attributed to the Equalization Formula but several cases of political damage have occurred.
If you are currently using Equalization Formula you should cease immediately. Previously manufactured Equalization Formula should also not be used as it is likely to be past its best before date and could be stale.
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