Joe Mason

Obama says the right thing

joe@notcharles.ca — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:30:58 GMT

"America supports now the restoration of the democratically elected president of Honduras, even though he has strongly opposed American policies," Obama said.

"We do so not because we agree with him. We do so because we respect the universal principle that people should choose their own leaders, whether they are leaders we agree with or not," he said in a speech in Russia.

I can't believe we live in a world where there was any DOUBT that the President would take such a stance, but there was, and I'm glad it's gone.

There oughta be a law

joe@notcharles.ca — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:32:25 GMT

I think there should be a law that if the government runs commercials demonizing its opposition, it automatically triggers an election. Because clearly they're campaigning already.

I'm gonna keep hammering on this every time I see one of those damn commercials.

What's with all these ads?

joe@notcharles.ca — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:16:31 GMT

So, are we having an election campaign or something? When's the election date?

Health Care

joe@notcharles.ca — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:25:10 GMT

Here's one of the many arguments in the case against private health insurance.

And, for good measure, here's one of the arguments for it.

Scrabble

joe@notcharles.ca — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:01:23 GMT

Oh, hey, look at that - it's Scrabble time again!

This Sunday, the 22nd, at 3:00 at Casa del Popolo.

Beginners and experts welcome!

Edward Gorey writes about sex

joe@notcharles.ca — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:12:54 GMT

http://community.livejournal.com/found_objects/3699822.html

No down time

joe@notcharles.ca — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:03:02 GMT

I just watched a syndicated episode of Law & Order. At the end they did that annoying thing where they split the screen in half and ran the closing credits all squeezed over in one half and something else in the other. Except instead of a preview, the other half of the screen was running the opening DOINK DOINK voiceover of the next Law & Order episode.

Truly, America is the land of plenty.

Raoul Jobs to take over as CEO of Apple

joe@notcharles.ca — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:14:00 GMT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20081217/bs_nf/63614

FUCK

joe@notcharles.ca — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:34:19 GMT

Bob Rae just dropped out of the Liberal leadership race. So Ignatieff is the only candidate left, and he's almost certain to be the next Liberal leader.

That means:
- the coalition is dead
- neocon as the PM, neocon as Leader of the Opposition
- Harper's little stunt worked

We are SO FUCKED.

Response to a post that doesn't allow comments

joe@notcharles.ca — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:25:10 GMT

[url=http://alumnit.ca/~apenwarr/log/?m=200812#04]Reply to Avery[/url]:

That would be true if it was only legislation that mattered, but there's also the matter of who gets to fill cabinet posts and do all the procedural stuff like cancel opposition days so the other parties can't even propose any legislation.

Close Up Eyes

joe@notcharles.ca — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:20:18 GMT

I don't know why, but this video makes me ridiculously happy.

Breaking news: politician uses phrase "let the terrorists get away with this" correctly

joe@notcharles.ca — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:55:48 GMT

http://www.thestar.com/federalelection/article/512033

How you should vote

joe@notcharles.ca — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:20:58 GMT

In this country we now have one right-wing party and three left-wing parties running (four in Quebec). That means that the Conservatives are guaranteed to win, and win big, because of vote splitting.

There are a lot of differences between the Liberals, the NDP and the Greens. For example, there's disagreement on whether a carbon tax or cap and trade system would be better for reducing pollution.

But there's no question that electing the Conservatives again won't get anything done. To that end, I recommend checking out voteforenvironment.ca - it's a very nice looking strategic voting tool to help elect whoever in your local riding will have the most impact. Yes, strategic voting sucks, but this time it's important, dammit!

Telling Joe Biden how to do his job

joe@notcharles.ca — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:24:44 GMT

I've seen lots of people giving advice to Joe Biden: "Sit back and do nothing so that people don't think you're bullying Palin; she'll tank on her own without your interference." "Attack Palin as hard as you can; you can't be complacent and assume she won't surprise everyone with a great performance." "Go slow!" "No, go fast!"

Nobody's giving the obvious advice: slow... then fast!

He should start out answering the questions put to him but not directly attacking Palin - and spend the first few questions addressing how she's doing. If she doesn't seem to be tanking as badly as hoped for, turn up the heat in the second half.

Really, it's not like they're submitting their answers beforehand. Being able to adjust on the fly is the whole point of picking a smart, experienced guy like Biden.

Scrabble!

joe@notcharles.ca — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:34:33 GMT

End of September's rolling around, which means it's time for the first fall edition of Scrabble!

When: Sunday, September 28, 3:00 pm
Where: Le Divan Orange, 4234 St-Laurent (corner of Rachel)
What: Scrabble! (I like writing it with an exclamation mark so it feels like I'm shouting it. It's a fun word to shout. Scrabble!)

All levels of player are welcome. Bring your own board if you have one; if not, don't let that discourage you, we have a few spares in both English and French.

Doing my part

joe@notcharles.ca — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:08:45 GMT

Hey, Americans! Worried about your taxes? This neat site that's making the rounds will tell you how much of a tax cut you'll get under Obama's tax plan vs. McCain's tax plan. Share it with your friends.

Goto 1:50 for large explosion

joe@notcharles.ca — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:09:28 GMT

So I see part of Toronto just blew up. The news is only reporting 2 injuries, thank God. Ted, you okay?

EDIT: More large explosion.

Scrabble on Sunday - NEW VENUE!

joe@notcharles.ca — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:32:12 GMT

This Sunday is Scrabble time again, and if this rain lets up it will be outside in the park. (First time this year!) The twist is, it will be a different park - we're going to move to Parc Wilfred-Laurier, which is at Laurier and Mentana. Why the change? Parc Wilfred-Laurier has picnic tables, so hopefully we won't have to sit on the ground.

If it's still raining (boo!) Scrabble will be at Divan Orange, as usual.

Where: If sunny: Parc Wilfred-Laurier; if raining: Divan Orange
When: Sunday, July 27, at 3:00
What: Scrabble! Newcomers of all skill levels are welcome! Play in English or French!

Bring some food and drink and we'll make a picnic out of it! Bring a Scrabble board if you have one, just in case we're overwhelmed with people! Bring something to sit on (blankets, lawn chairs) just in case somebody's stolen the picnic tables! But mainly, bring your love of language!

Toronto fringe suggestions

joe@notcharles.ca — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:14:20 GMT

Hey, Toronto people! Avery just posted a list of suggestions for things to see at the Fringe Festival. I disagreed with some of what he said, and I might as well back up the stuff I agreed with, so here's my take:

Blastback Babyzap. Go see it. It's by Uncalled For. QED.

This cannot be overstated. This is also the most mainstream thing on the list - it's just plain funny - so everyone reading this in Toronto should go see it even if you don't have any interest in the Fringe Fest per se.

Teaching the Fringe, by Keir Cutler. Except that Dr. Cutler won't be able to make it to your fringe, so Barry Smith, of Barry Smith's Baby Book (not to be seen in Toronto), will be doing the show on his behalf. That's a bit strange, because both Teaching the Fringe and Baby Book are autobiographical, and so now Barry is doing someone else's autobiography. Oh well, both of them were good. You might as well give it a shot.

Now I want to go to Toronto and see that, because this was a great show and I'd really like to see how it changed.

'Beth. As advertised.

This was ok, but nothing special.

Crude Love. Reputedly good. I didn't see this one either. Gee, I'm starting to sense a pattern here.

I don't know who reputed that this was good. It wasn't. Avery, I'd suggest you update your post because it sounds like you're recommending it, which you shouldn't be.

Jem Rolls. Dude, it's Jem Rolls. Of course you have to go see him. If you don't know why, then you have to go see him even more.

Totem Figures, by the increasingly infamous TJ Dawe. The guy talks at top speed for 90 minutes and doesn't forget any lines. Worth seeing just for that, although he seems a little oversold to me. Reputedly the only guy to ever make a full-time career out of doing fringe shows.

Not much to add to these.

Facebook

joe@notcharles.ca — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:47:24 GMT

Ok, fine, I'll join your stupid Facebook. I have an account now. I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing with it, but whatever - I assume this means I'll magically start getting invitations to things now.

More apples

joe@notcharles.ca — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:04:08 GMT

To everyone who said they were coming over for gaming tomorrow: thanks for coming! And I realized I forgot to mention what time to be here. Let's say 7:00.

And if you haven't replied yet, feel free to do so now.

Apples

joe@notcharles.ca — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:18:28 GMT

Hey, who wants to do some gaming next Monday? And maybe some drinking? Come on over and we'll play Apples to Apples. RSVP so I know how many people to expect (and leave your email if you need my address).

Iron Man

joe@notcharles.ca — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:36:12 GMT

Anybody in Montreal who hasn't seen Iron Man yet? Want to go see it Wednesday or Thursday? (And if so, which?)

The NDP is alive and well

joe@notcharles.ca — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:49:34 GMT

Some people may be shocked to hear it, but Jack Layton is the best party leader in Canada today.

Spring Scrabble

joe@notcharles.ca — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:14:10 GMT

It's time for April's Scrabble meetup!

Who : Players of all levels.
What : Scrabble, beer, nachos, cake, friends, etc.
When : This Sunday (4/27) at 3pm.
Where : Divan Orange.
Why : Because we can, and you can too.