Happy 45th birthday to the Canadian flag

 

I want to wish the Canadian flag a happy 45th birthday!

I also want to wish a happy Family Day to families living in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.  I just wish this day were a federal holiday called Canadian Heritage Day.

Links for flag info:

Canadian Heritage 

Wikipedia

Quick question: how do you pronounce "again?"

I had some students complain about the way I pronounce "again."  I'll let you know later how I pronounced it.

How do you pronounce "again?"

1. a-gen (short e)
2. a-gayn/agén (long e)
3. a-gin (short i)
4. some other way.

Note: all have hard G's.

If you wish, please state your approximate location in the world (Canada/Saskatchewan/Estevan/Puxatawney/Australia/etc.).  You may also wish to state that English is your first or second language if necessary.

Toronto Star says, "Yes to democratic reform; no to voting reform"

Today's Toronto Star editorial must have been written by Ian Urquhart, a foe of voting reform and proportional representation.  Here's a quote from the editorial:

Electoral reform, the panacea favoured by some, would result in an even more fractured Parliament, with likely more power in the hands of the executive.

I assume that we should elect a Harper majority in the next election so that Harper can share his power with his fellow party MP's and with the opposition.

If Harper gets a majority, he will stop being a control-freak.

Yeah, right.

Maclean's blog: Toronto anti-prorogation rally

The Toronto anti-prorogation rally was a success in my opinion.  I estimate that there were about 5,000 to 10,000 in attendance.  All of Dundas Square was filled with participants.

Maclean's has a photo montage of the event in Toronto on one of its blogs.  Included is a photo of a homemade sign about "electoral dysfunction" that I stapled.  Note: I did not design the poster.  Thanks to Fair Vote Canada for the design.

200,000

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

I wonder if Harper will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Eastern next Saturday

There will be anti-prorogation rallies taking place in many cities across Canada next Saturday. Some rallies may be shown live in part or whole on the Canadian news channels. I wonder if Stephen Harper will hold some kind of news conference at 1 p.m. on Saturday just so that the television news media won't air the rallies live. I wonder if the media may fall for such a Harper trap.

Come on, prorogue

What Are You Looking At?


Strike a pose.
Strike a pose.
Prorogue, prorogue, prorogue
Prorogue, prorogue, prorogue

Look around everywhere you turn is a headache
It's everywhere that you go [look around]
You try everything you can to escape
The pain of life that you know [life that you know]

When all else fails and you long to be
More powerful than you are today
I know a place where you can get away
It's called the Olympics, and here's what it's for, so

Chorus:

Come on, prorogue
Let your body move to the music [move to the music]
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, prorogue
Let your body go with the flow [go with the flow]
You know you can do it

All you need is your own intimidation
So use it that's what it's for [that's what it's for]
Go inside, for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will close the door [close the door]

It makes no difference if you're a dictator or not
If you're a Con boy or a GG girl
If the music's pumping it will give you new life
You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it

(chorus, substituting "groove" for "move")

Beauty's where you find it
Not just where you bump and grind it
Soul is in the musical
That's where I feel so beautiful
Magical, life's a ball
So get up on the dance floor

(chorus)
Prorogue, [Prorogue]
Beauty's where you find it [move to the music]
Prorogue, [Prorogue]
Beauty's where you find it [go with the flow]

Ayn Rand, and Palin
Condi Rice and Glen Beck
Stephen Harper, Stephen Harper
On the cover of a magazine

Stephen Harper; Harper, Steve
Picture of a beauty king
Stephen Harper, Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper, quite a scare

I have tactics, I take away the mace
I can't stand the democratic place
McKay, Poilièvre, Flaherty too
Angry Baird, they don't think much of you

Conservatives with an attitude
Conbots that were in the mood
Don't just stand there, let's get to it
Strike a citizen, there's nothing to it

Prorogue, prorogue, prorogue, prorogue

Oooh, you've got to
Let your body move to the music
Oooh, you've got to just
Let your body go with the flow
Oooh, you've got to just,
Prorogue !