Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Banksy on the O Circus - 24 July 2012

Banksy is at it again.

This time Banksy,  the justifiably famous guerrilla artist is a "bread not circuses" theme when it comes to a certain high profile, now apparently militarized, sports meet that is to take place in London starting the last week of July, 2012.

Below are a few images for you to ponder about and while you are at it, think about why it is that the establishment is trying to have these pieces of art removed today. Shame on them to limit free speech and expression. Is this censorship the new "book burning"?







Sunday, July 22, 2012

The new feudalism: corporatizing our common life - 20 July 2012




This post was written by Sam Smith and was originally posted here .

JULY 20, 2012

The new feudalism: corporatizing our common life

by Sam Smith

One of the best metaphors for what is happening to our culture was the firing of a lifeguard for rescuing a swimmer outside the boundaries of the beach controlled by the corporation for which he worked. The first problem was that the town had turned over part of the beach to a corporation. The second was that the corporation punished an employee for engaging in the most profoundly decent of human behaviors: saving the life of another human. 

Imagine if this corporation had been in charge of a whole city and a fire or other disaster occurred just over the city’s boundary. In fact, you don’t have to imagine. That’s the way fire departments worked in the early days of America and is one reason we have public fire departments today.

The beach incident illustrates in clear, simple terms why the privatization of formerly communal space and activities is not only anti-democratic, it can even be anti-human. This is not capitalism, but a form of robbery, taking from the public lands, powers, or roles it formerly owned and turning it into a profit center for the few.

We have been there before. Just watch any PBS program on medieval times and you’ll realize how much of what the current American right is up to is a corporate revival of ancient feudalism, but without any responsibility to the underclass. Or consider the abuse of common lands that led to national and state parks, conservation areas, and environmentally based zoning laws. And don’t forget the private fire companies that wouldn’t save your home if you didn’t have their plaque on your outside wall.

The other day, in an article about music, I listed a few of the places where corporater feudam is spreading:
What has happened to music has happened to other aspects of our lives and can perhaps be best described as the corporatization of communal culture. In each case matters of non-fiscal but enormous common value have been translated into just another market item controlled by megacorporations. For example:

- America is politically defined by its Declaration of Independence and Constitution but these have become merely marketing icons in a political culture now overwhelmingly controlled by corporations and wealthy individuals. Our freedom and independence have just become another item on the syntactical shelf. What counts is money.

- Physical play has followed a similar path. As budgets for playgrounds and parks come under attack, the definition of good sports is no longer Olympian or back yard but determined by Olympian sponsors and major league owners. As with music, we have turned over much of our cultural property to the money grabbers.

- Corporations have seized control of public education through various cons ranging from No Child Left Behind to charter schools and for profit universities. Among the victims, incidentally, is time for music.

- Corporations have commercialized that most basic connection we have with nature: food - through pesticides, genetic modification, industrial farming and additives that make us less healthy and gain more weight.

- And in a similar fashion corporations have seized the culture of music making it theirs in as many ways possible.

In each case our lives within a community have suffered.
And a friend involved with Amnesty International has reminded me of another example: the corporate takeover of large non-profits. The weakness of many of these institutions – such as large environmental groups – is directly connected to where they now get their funding, often enemies of their purpose for existence.

We should start calling it what it is: corporate feudalism. A system in which our politics, education, recreation, music, food and non-profits have become profit nodes for big business and we are its vassals.

These corporations are stealing our communal property and make us their serfs living in a new Middle Ages.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

2012 Sunset Music Series at Charles Daley Park - 10 July 2012

We have many requests about Charles Daley Park. Folks have asked about the scheduled performances, parking availability and what the park is like on weekdays.

If you want to see one or more of the performances at the Rotary Shell at the park, then arrive early to catch the 7 to 8:30 P.M. shows.  For a listing of the shows, go to www.SunsetMusicSeries.com .

 A few of the upcoming events at the 2012 Sunset Music Series:

July 3 – Toasted Western Swing Band with Walter Ostanek
July 10 – The British Invasion Band
July 17 – Hometown Bluegrass
July 24 – Un Poco Latino
July 31 – Jam Night with Flat Broke…..Sign up now!
August 7 – The Lincoln Concert Band
August 14 – Johnny Cash Tribute with Bill Culp
August 21 – Steve Burnside & The Marquis
August 28 – Sandy Vine & The Midnights


Here is a link for those who would like directions to Charles Daley Park.  The park is a favourite place for locals to watch sunsets but everyone should be aware that the park is locked and closed to vehicles at 10 p.m. Here are a few photos.

And a few photos:

As can be seen in the photo above, there are free concerts on Tuesday evenings in July and August 2011 between 7 and 8:30p.m.
If you have comments on this or any other content or if you wish to suggest a review, please email us.

Free Concerts at Montebello Park in St. Catharines - 10 July 2012

Here is the Calendar of Band Concerts in Montebello Park for 2012 -

This summer visit the Walter Ostanek Pavilion at Montebello Park. Free concerts every Sunday and Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in 2012. Montebello Park is the main park in the Downtown St. Catharines. The park is located along Ontario Street at the south end of Lake Street.

Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs, etc..

2012 Concert Schedule

July 3 - Marty Allen Band (honky-tonk, rockabilly)

July 8 - Lincoln and Welland Ambassadors (swing band)

July 10 - Lincoln Concert Band (concert band)

July 15 - Walter Ostanek (polka)

July 17 - Vox Violins (accoustic/ambient/folk)

July 22 - Winston James (50s, 60s Rock 'n' Roll)

July 24 - The Cruisers (50s, 60s do-wop)

July 29 - Sandy Vine Trio (party band)

July 31 - British Invasion (60s music)

Aug. 7 - Frankie Phelan Five (jazz)

Aug. 12 - MacPherson Rant (celtic, blues and pop)

Aug. 14 - Kindred (a cappella to swing)

Aug. 19 - The Retro Rockers (pop, rock and R & B hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s)

Aug. 21 - Solstice (Latin)

Aug. 26 - Solid Brass (big band, 40s)

Aug. 28 - Old Thyme Fiddlers (traditional, old time fiddle)


Monday, July 09, 2012

Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism - 9 July 2012



Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism

By Dr. Lawrence Britt

Source Free Inquiry.co    5-28-3

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread
domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

From Liberty Forum

http://www.libertyforum.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=news_constitution&Number=642
109&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1&t=-1

Monday, May 28, 2012

What occupation does this image bring to mind?

What occupation does this image bring to mind?

Artist: Paul Kuzhynski

Friday, May 11, 2012

Who controls Canada's Money?

       Canadians should be ashamed of themselves. We pride ourselves on being a thoughtful caring people but our reckless legislative and regulatory banking practices have enslaved generations to come to debt.
        Let 12 year old Victoria Grant enlighten you. If you love your children, heed her recommendations that we legislate back control of our financial future.

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Free Refills for Your Water Bottle - the BlueW Program

I like the idea behind this BlueW.org program. It encourages folks to refill their water bottles with free municipal water at locations displaying the logo below.

I see that the program is active with a presence in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Bravo to the folks in Niagara Falls for this. Now if we could get this going throughout the Niagara Region on "both sides of the River".

Refill your water bottle here! BlueW.org
The BlueW.org Program:
  • Encourages hydration - a very good thing
  • Encourages the use of municipal water - another very good thing
  • Educates the public on the issue of municipal water quality - e.g. tap water is as good or better for you than bottled water
  • Saves folks money - duh - a very good thing

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Redbuds at St. Catharines Central Library

I was walking by the St. Catharines Central Library today when I saw the annual display of the redbuds in front of the entrance.  As readers of this blog know, I find the redbud's display in Spring to be a constant joy and a sign that lilacs will soon be in bloom.

The Eastern Redbuds at the library are not large but their planting is well placed to delight the library patrons when they are near the library's entrance.The library's architecture is Brutalist but once inside, it is welcoming.

Below is a short video of the redbuds blooming in front of the St. Catharines Main Library and views of the immediate environs. The blooms are beautiful this year. The images below were captured 24 April 2012.

The Library is an under appreciated institution and I suggest that residents of St. Catharines visit and use the excellent service that the library and the helpful library staff provide.




Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Royal Canadian MintChip - the Kiss Your Privacy GoodBye Chip

The Harper Government, through the Royal Mint of Canada, has announced the desire to create the MintChip - which would eventually become the official currency of Canada.
         It should really be called the Kiss Your Privacy GoodBye Chip, the No Privacy Chip  or the We Are Watching Everything  That You Do Chip.
        All Canadian's should be very concerned with the privacy issues related to this proposed currency. History has shown us that whenever we give any government access to our personal information, that access is abused and rights violated.
       For instance, the contentious Long Gun Registry has been cancelled but this will eventually give the government a way to know what rifles you may have, just by watching your rifle, pistol and ammunition purchases - Welcome to the New Long Gun Registry - actually it is the everything you buy registry.

This government likes watching - EVERYTHING.
      
Contact your Member of Parliament and let them know that you don't want digital Trojan Horse - cash is freedom, the MintChip is Orwellian control.
        Here is a link to help you find your MP (Member of the Parliament of Canada) and here is a list of the current MPs.
        For those readers living in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Rick Dykstra is your MP and here is his contact info. Those Canadians who wish to send a comment to Prime Minister Harper can reach him here.


The Harper Government's MintChip - the Kiss Your Privacy GoodBye Chip


Friday, April 13, 2012

Meet the 2012 Loonie and Toonie

Have you ever wondered why the Canadian Mint's Loonies and Toonies look like they are made from silver and gold? Well they are neither silver nor gold but plated steel.

The reason that they are made to look like silver and gold is because we humans have recognized silver and gold as being a meaningful currency for thousands of years. In fact we in Canada and the US had a defacto currency based on gold until August 15, 1971.

Then one once of gold was worth US$35 - today, as I write this entry, gold is selling for US$1668. That is 47 times what it sold for in 1971. That is to say both the Canadian and US Dollar are worth a little over 2 cents in 1971 money.

So why is the Canadian mint celebrating it's new coins? They are really celebrating the stupidity of the populace to put up with the debasement of their currency. The current digitally created money is relatively worthless when compared to the real mined representation of convertible wealth, silver and gold.

Some would say that if you have no debts and extra cash on hand that people might consider buying and taking possession of physical silver or gold MINTED coins. The Canadian Maple Leaf silver and gold coins are usually regarded as top quality bullion.

The Canadian Mint introduces the 2012 Loonie and Toonie - and no, it isn't precious metal


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Günter Grass and his poem 'What Must Be Said'

Günter Grass' poem "What Must Be Said" was published on 4 April 2012 in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, has precipitated much conversation.

What must be said  -  A poem by Günter Grass

Why have I kept silent, held back so long,

on something openly practised in

war games, at the end of which those of us

who survive will be footnotes at best?

It's the alleged right to a first strike

that could destroy the Iranian people

controlled by a loudmouth

and gathered in organized rallies,

because an atom bomb may be

developed within his arc of power.

Yet why do I hesitate to name

that other land in which

for years, although kept secret,

a growing nuclear power has existed

beyond outside supervision or verification,

and not subject to an inspection of any kind?

This general silence on the facts,

before which my own silence has cowered,

seems to me a troubling lie, and compels

me toward a likely punishment

the moment it's voiced:

the verdict "Anti-semitism" falls easily.

But now that my own country,

interrogated time after time

about its own crimes,

profound and beyond compare,

is said to be the departure point,

on what is only business,

though easily considered an act of reparation

for yet another submarine equipped

to transport nuclear warheads

to Israel, where not a single atom bomb

has yet been proved to exist, with fear alone

the only evidence, I'll say what must be said.

But why have I kept silent till now?

Because I thought my own history,

Tarnished by a taint that can never be removed,

meant I could not expect Israel, a land

to which I am, and always will be, attached,

to accept this open declaration of the truth.

Why only now, having grown old,

and with what ink remains, do I say:

Israel's atomic power worries

an already fragile world peace?

Because what must be said

may be too late tomorrow;

and because, already burdened enough as Germans,

we may be providing material for a crime

that is foreseeable, so that our complicity

will not be exonerated by any

of the usual excuses.

And granted: I've broken my silence

because I'm sick of the West's hypocrisy;

and I hope too that many may be freed

from their silence, may demand

that those responsible for this open danger

we face renounce the use of force,

may insist that the governments of

both Iran and Israel allow an international authority

free and open inspection of

the nuclear potential and capability of both.

No other course offers help

to Israelis and Palestinians alike,

to all those living side by side in suspicion

in this region occupied by illusions,

and ultimately, to all of us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above was translated by NiagaraWatch.com with apologies to Mr. Grass for any errors.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The original version:

Was Gesagt Werden Muss


Warum schweige ich, verschweige zu lange,
was offensichtlich ist und in Planspielen
geübt wurde, an deren Ende als Überlebende
wir allenfalls Fußnoten sind.

Es ist das behauptete Recht auf den Erstschlag,
der das von einem Maulhelden unterjochte
und zum organisierten Jubel gelenkte
iranische Volk auslöschen könnte,
weil in dessen Machtbereich der Bau
einer Atombombe vermutet wird.
Doch warum untersage ich mir,
jenes andere Land beim Namen zu nennen,
in dem seit Jahren - wenn auch geheimgehalten -
ein wachsend nukleares Potential verfügbar
aber außer Kontrolle, weil keiner Prüfung
zugänglich ist?
Das allgemeine Verschweigen dieses Tatbestandes,
dem sich mein Schweigen untergeordnet hat,
empfinde ich als belastende Lüge
und Zwang, der Strafe in Aussicht stellt,
sobald er mißachtet wird;
das Verdikt "Antisemitismus" ist geläufig.
Jetzt aber, weil aus meinem Land,
das von ureigenen Verbrechen,
die ohne Vergleich sind,
Mal um Mal eingeholt und zur Rede gestellt wird,
wiederum und rein geschäftsmäßig, wenn auch
mit flinker Lippe als Wiedergutmachung deklariert,
ein weiteres U-Boot nach Israel
geliefert werden soll, dessen Spezialität
darin besteht, allesvernichtende Sprengköpfe
dorthin lenken zu können, wo die Existenz
einer einzigen Atombombe unbewiesen ist,
doch als Befürchtung von Beweiskraft sein will,
sage ich, was gesagt werden muß.

Warum aber schwieg ich bislang?
Weil ich meinte, meine Herkunft,
die von nie zu tilgendem Makel behaftet ist,
verbiete, diese Tatsache als ausgesprochene Wahrheit
dem Land Israel, dem ich verbunden bin
und bleiben will, zuzumuten.

Warum sage ich jetzt erst,
gealtert und mit letzter Tinte:
Die Atommacht Israel gefährdet
den ohnehin brüchigen Weltfrieden?
Weil gesagt werden muß,
was schon morgen zu spät sein könnte;
auch weil wir - als Deutsche belastet genug -
Zulieferer eines Verbrechens werden könnten,
das voraussehbar ist, weshalb unsere Mitschuld
durch keine der üblichen Ausreden
zu tilgen wäre.

Und zugegeben: ich schweige nicht mehr,
weil ich der Heuchelei des Westens
überdrüssig bin; zudem ist zu hoffen,
es mögen sich viele vom Schweigen befreien,
den Verursacher der erkennbaren Gefahr
zum Verzicht auf Gewalt auffordern und
gleichfalls darauf bestehen,
daß eine unbehinderte und permanente Kontrolle
des israelischen atomaren Potentials
und der iranischen Atomanlagen
durch eine internationale Instanz
von den Regierungen beider Länder zugelassen wird.

Nur so ist allen, den Israelis und Palästinensern,
mehr noch, allen Menschen, die in dieser
vom Wahn okkupierten Region
dicht bei dicht verfeindet leben
und letztlich auch uns zu helfen.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Cedric's Barber Shop

I needed to be shorn this past week.  So I chose a local professional barber, Cedric.



Cedric is the owner of "The Head Shop", which is located at Welland St., which is near the intersection of Welland St., and the QEW in St. Catharines.


I phoned Cedric at 905-988-9772 and made an appointment for 1 p.m..  As Cedric's shop is less that 1 km from my home, I had planned on walking or bicycling over but I had some other errands to run beforehand and I was pressed for time so I took the car and arrived 5 minutes early as there was plenty of available street parking.


Cedric's shop is clean and tidy with a few barber chairs and a bench for those waiting their turn in the chair. As I had made an appointment, I was in Cedric's chair at 1:00 and my shearing and our conversation began.


We had an interesting conversation about shaving and razors and related paraphernalia as well as the importance to all of us in the region and on both sides of "the river" to buy and use local goods and services whenever possible.
Cedric's 1950's Marvy Barber Pole Sign

While in the chair a family entered with their son. They waited on the bench until I was finished and then the very well behaved young fellow took his turn in the chair.


I was delighted with both the conversation and the professional haircut. Clearly Cedric knows what he is doing and I encourage my readers to give him a try. I think that you'll be pleased - I was.

The Head Shop has relocated to:
20 Hartzel Rd.
Unit 10
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 1M3, Canada
+1 905-988-9772

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Happiness is a Bicycle

Can you believe the weather we are having? Too warm too soon for me but I like a normal Spring.

I have been riding a bicycle, have you thought about riding yours? Gas is $1.33 a litre here in St. Catharines, that is CAN$6 for an Imperial Gallon. Our US friends pay CAN$5 for the same amount.

So save some money, enjoy the weather and improve your health .... ride your bicycle!


And here is my Yuba Mundo Bicycle in front of the St. Catharines Central Library


 
Here is the Environment Canada forecast for St. Catharines:

Issued: 9:09 AM EDT Wednesday 21 March 2012
Today:Sunny. Fog patches dissipating late this morning. High 25 except 16 near Lake Ontario. UV index 4 or moderate.
Tonight:Clear. Low 12.
Thursday:Sunny. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud late in the afternoon. High 24 except 16 near Lake Ontario.
Friday:Sunny. Low 10. High 17.
Saturday:Showers. Low 9. High 14.
Sunday:Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low 7. High 13.
Monday:Sunny. Low plus 1. High 6.
Tuesday - April 2, 2012 :Sunny. Low minus 2. High 7.

And for our friends in Buffalo and environs:
NYZ010-212130-
NORTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUFFALO
932 AM EDT WED MAR 21 2012

.REST OF TODAY...SUNNY AND VERY WARM WITH RECORD HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 80S. LIGHT WINDS.
.TONIGHT...MAINLY CLEAR. MILD WITH LOWS IN THE MID 50S. SOUTH WINDS
10 MPH OR LESS.
.THURSDAY...SUNNY AND VERY WARM WITH RECORD HIGHS RANGING FROM
THE MID 70S ALONG THE LAKE ERIE SHORE TO THE LOWER 80S INLAND.
SOUTH WINDS AROUND 10 MPH...BECOMING SOUTHWEST.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY. MILD WITH LOWS IN THE
LOWER 50S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 MPH OR LESS.
.FRIDAY...PARTLY SUNNY AND WARM WITH HIGHS AROUND 70. NORTHEAST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH...BECOMING EAST.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S.
.SATURDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS
IN THE UPPER 50S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...SHOWERS LIKELY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. CHANCE OF
RAIN 60 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY...SHOWERS LIKELY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. CHANCE OF RAIN
60 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
LOWS AROUND 40.
.MONDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
.MONDAY NIGHT...MAINLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S.
.TUESDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S.



Monday, March 12, 2012

Why isn't the City of St. Catharines properly enforcing contracts?

Why isn't the City of St. Catharines enforcing Municipal Contracts such as tree maintenance. Given the problems with mature trees coupled with the new normal of more frequent severe wind storms, trees must be trimmed so as to ensure both reliable electrical service and safety to the community.

I am fed up with the talk of the new arena, also known as McMullan's Folly, the City should be taking care of the existing physical infrastructure.


There is currently an inadequate and possibly life threatening level of service in place. I would hope that if there is a serious event that someone be held accountable under the full force of the law - when warranted, the Ministry of Labour can put negligent contractor's and employers in prison.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I agree with Banksy's view on Advertising

I was in Niagara Falls, Ontario on this past Saturday and I felt overwhelmed and repulsed by the egregious assault on my senses by the over the top advertising in the public realm.

I think that there is waaayyyy too much advertising around us these days and I am disposed to supporting Banksy's view. For those that don't know who Banksy is, here is some of his art / work.


BANKSY ON ADVERTISING
“People are taking the piss out of you everyday.
They butt into your life, take a cheap shot at you and then disappear. They leer at you from tall buildings and make you feel small.
They make flippant comments from buses that imply you’re not sexy enough and that all the fun is happening somewhere else.
They are on TV making your girlfriend feel inadequate.
They have access to the most sophisticated technology the world has ever seen and they bully you with it.
They are “The Advertisers” and they are laughing at you.
You, however, are forbidden to touch them.
Trademarks, intellectual property rights and copyright law mean advertisers can say what they like wherever they like with total impunity.
Fuck that.
Any advert in a public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours.
It’s yours to take, re-arrange and re-use.
You can do whatever you like with it.
Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head.
You owe the companies nothing.
Less than nothing, you especially don’t owe them any courtesy.
They owe you.
They have re-arranged the world to put themselves in front of you.
They never asked for your permission, don’t even start asking for theirs.”
~ Banksy

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Canada - USA Bridge Wait Times

We receive a large number of requests concerning the optimum bridge to take when crossing from Canada to the USA in the Niagara Region.

In my opinion, the best information source is the PeaceBridge.com website. A quick link to the current waiting times in both direction on the 3 bridges is mobile.PeaceBridge.com, this is a real time update.

Of course if you are a Nexus pass holder, you can cross at the Whirlpool Nexus ONLY Bridge - but make sure that everyone in your vehicle has their nexus pass with them or you will likely lose yours.

Both sides of the river have wonderful people and sites - so come and go and enjoy all that the Greater Niagara Region has to offer.

Helping the Irish Save Their Homes

I know that this is not about Niagara or it's surroundings but it is about a situation that many people in the region will be finding themselves in the not too distant future.

These days, the people of Ireland are being heavily put upon by both international and local financial thugs. The video below shows how knowledge of the Constitution of Ireland and Laws of Ireland, specially The Common Law may save most if not all Irish from losing there homes.

I recommend that all the Irish stand up for their rights. I also suggest that all Irish watch the following video:


The Garda, the police in Ireland, are obligated to support the Constitution of Ireland as is shown below:

Section 16(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 requires each member of the Garda Síochána to make the following Solemn declaration when they are appointed :-
"I hereby solemnly and sincerely declare before God that—
-I will faithfully discharge the duties of a member of the Garda Síochána with fairness, integrity, regard for human rights, diligence and impartiality, upholding the Constitution and the laws and according equal respect to all people,
-while I continue to be a member, I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all my duties according to law, and
-I do not belong to, and will not while I remain a member form, belong to or subscribe to, any political party or secret society whatsoever.”.
Section 16(2) allows the words “before God” to be omitted from the declaration at the request of the declarant.