The Sixth Estate
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY : "I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly." -Winston Churchill
SONG OF THE DAY : K-OS - The Love Song
LINK OF THE DAY : Misinterpreted Movie Titles
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus; and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
I'm not American, but I do know one thing: I don't like George W. Bush and what he's doing with the world.
I was talking with some Americans on a message board about the whole election thing. They were amazed that I cared so much about their election. It does effect Canada, it does effect the world. We have a huge trading relationship with the US, and we share the largest undefended border in the world, so of course it concerns me.
I like John Kerry, I think he'll be an excellent president. If I were in the US I would probably be a Republican, though I would still have voted for Kerry this election. I would have most definitely voted for John McCain had he been the Republican nominee in 2000. But I can't vote... I'm not American, and have no plans to become one.
On November 1st, Sin Radio, my buddy Craig's radio show will be having an Anti-Bush show. Showcasing anti-Bush songs. Not anti-American songs.
Make no mistake, my dislike for Bush does not reflect my view of the US. I have many friends in the United States, and some family too. I've many of them to consider carefully their decision on November 2nd. It affects the world... not just them.
So listen to the show next Monday, 3 PM on SpiritLive. Call in, email, speak up. If you're voting for Bush tell us why, I respect your decision, but ask you to consider it carefully.
- Will Tuesday, October 26, 2004
0 comments
SONG OF THE DAY : K-OS - The Love Song
LINK OF THE DAY : Misinterpreted Movie Titles
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus; and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
I'm not American, but I do know one thing: I don't like George W. Bush and what he's doing with the world.
I was talking with some Americans on a message board about the whole election thing. They were amazed that I cared so much about their election. It does effect Canada, it does effect the world. We have a huge trading relationship with the US, and we share the largest undefended border in the world, so of course it concerns me.
I like John Kerry, I think he'll be an excellent president. If I were in the US I would probably be a Republican, though I would still have voted for Kerry this election. I would have most definitely voted for John McCain had he been the Republican nominee in 2000. But I can't vote... I'm not American, and have no plans to become one.
On November 1st, Sin Radio, my buddy Craig's radio show will be having an Anti-Bush show. Showcasing anti-Bush songs. Not anti-American songs.
Make no mistake, my dislike for Bush does not reflect my view of the US. I have many friends in the United States, and some family too. I've many of them to consider carefully their decision on November 2nd. It affects the world... not just them.
So listen to the show next Monday, 3 PM on SpiritLive. Call in, email, speak up. If you're voting for Bush tell us why, I respect your decision, but ask you to consider it carefully.
- Will Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Thursday, October 14, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY : Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. - Mark Twain
SONG OF THE DAY : Davy DMX - One For The Treble
LINK OF THE DAY : Twitch Films
Set honour in one eye and death i' the other,
And I will look on both indifferently.
"Come on Hans, You're breaking my balls Hans!"
TEAM AMERICA : World Police
8/10 STARS
The creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker bring us Team America : World Police, a political knock out blow featuring an all marionette cast. Team America is an all American police force dedicated to ridding the world of terrorism... No matter the cost. As soon as the explosive credits end we find ourselves in Paris. A group of terrorists has a weapon of mass destruction and is planning to destroy the city. After an extended action sequence featuring a puppet fist fight and the destruction of numerous Paris landmarks, Team America is victorious and the terrorists have been stopped. However, an even greater threat is growing. Soon after, the team enlists the help of actor Gary Johnston. Gary is a rising Broadway star, and the team needs an actor good enough to infiltrate the terrorists stronghold in Cairo. He performs his role flawlessly and uncovers the terrorists sinister plan. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il has been supplying the terrorists with weapons of mass destruction. With the help of left wing Hollywood stars and Michael Moore, the diminutive dictator is hell bent on destroying the world and with it Team America. With the fate of the planet hanging in the balance, it will be up to Gary to save the day.
Team America is definitely not for everyone. If you're a fan of South Park, then this movie will be right up your alley. Much like South Park : Bigger, Longer and Uncut , Stone and Parker up the ante in their never ending quest to skirt the line of good taste. From the opening ballad "AMERICA! F$*# YEAH!" to the numerous slow motion puppet deaths, the film is a riot. I've never seen such graphic portrayals of puppet sex or violence in a movie, and probably never will again. I was amazed at how well the puppets worked in the film. With all the technology available, hyper-realistic puppets could have been used. However, Parker and Stone wanted to go for the classic "Thunderbirds" look, and no effort has been made to hide the strings and wires used to move the marionettes. You are consciously aware that you are watching a puppet movie throughout, and it makes the film even funnier.
The movie doesn't disappoint for the most part. There are a few weak jokes here and there, but for the most part every funny bit is dead on. People may be offended by the broad generalizations and stereotypes in the film, if you're looking for a fair and balanced opinion of the world, you're in the wrong movie. The movie pulls no punches, taking shots at everything from the Kim Jong Il's insane loneliness, to Michael Moore's weight problem. Also, much of the dialogue is ripped right out of Jerry Bruckheimer/Michael Bay movies. When the lines are recited by puppets you really see how bad some of the dialogue in those blockbusters really is.
If you object to gratuitous puppet sex, acts of puppet on puppet violence, swearing puppets, drunken puppets or North Korean dictators singing show tunes... Team America is not for you. But if any of this piques your interest... Go see Team America, and have a good laugh while you're at it. The movie will offend you, disgust you and shock you, but you'll love it all the same.
- Will Thursday, October 14, 2004
0 comments
SONG OF THE DAY : Davy DMX - One For The Treble
LINK OF THE DAY : Twitch Films
Set honour in one eye and death i' the other,
And I will look on both indifferently.
"Come on Hans, You're breaking my balls Hans!"
TEAM AMERICA : World Police
8/10 STARS
The creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker bring us Team America : World Police, a political knock out blow featuring an all marionette cast. Team America is an all American police force dedicated to ridding the world of terrorism... No matter the cost. As soon as the explosive credits end we find ourselves in Paris. A group of terrorists has a weapon of mass destruction and is planning to destroy the city. After an extended action sequence featuring a puppet fist fight and the destruction of numerous Paris landmarks, Team America is victorious and the terrorists have been stopped. However, an even greater threat is growing. Soon after, the team enlists the help of actor Gary Johnston. Gary is a rising Broadway star, and the team needs an actor good enough to infiltrate the terrorists stronghold in Cairo. He performs his role flawlessly and uncovers the terrorists sinister plan. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il has been supplying the terrorists with weapons of mass destruction. With the help of left wing Hollywood stars and Michael Moore, the diminutive dictator is hell bent on destroying the world and with it Team America. With the fate of the planet hanging in the balance, it will be up to Gary to save the day.
Team America is definitely not for everyone. If you're a fan of South Park, then this movie will be right up your alley. Much like South Park : Bigger, Longer and Uncut , Stone and Parker up the ante in their never ending quest to skirt the line of good taste. From the opening ballad "AMERICA! F$*# YEAH!" to the numerous slow motion puppet deaths, the film is a riot. I've never seen such graphic portrayals of puppet sex or violence in a movie, and probably never will again. I was amazed at how well the puppets worked in the film. With all the technology available, hyper-realistic puppets could have been used. However, Parker and Stone wanted to go for the classic "Thunderbirds" look, and no effort has been made to hide the strings and wires used to move the marionettes. You are consciously aware that you are watching a puppet movie throughout, and it makes the film even funnier.
The movie doesn't disappoint for the most part. There are a few weak jokes here and there, but for the most part every funny bit is dead on. People may be offended by the broad generalizations and stereotypes in the film, if you're looking for a fair and balanced opinion of the world, you're in the wrong movie. The movie pulls no punches, taking shots at everything from the Kim Jong Il's insane loneliness, to Michael Moore's weight problem. Also, much of the dialogue is ripped right out of Jerry Bruckheimer/Michael Bay movies. When the lines are recited by puppets you really see how bad some of the dialogue in those blockbusters really is.
If you object to gratuitous puppet sex, acts of puppet on puppet violence, swearing puppets, drunken puppets or North Korean dictators singing show tunes... Team America is not for you. But if any of this piques your interest... Go see Team America, and have a good laugh while you're at it. The movie will offend you, disgust you and shock you, but you'll love it all the same.
- Will Thursday, October 14, 2004
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY : "It is an infantile superstition of the human spirit that virginity would be thought a virtue and not the barrier that separates ignorance from knowledge." -Voltaire
SONG OF THE DAY : DJ Shadow - Blood On The Motorway
LINK OF THE DAY : Incredible Jet Ride
I grant him bloody,
Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name.
In Search of a Canadian Identity.
I was born in Canada. I consider myself Canadian. I also love what my nation believes in and stands for. However, recent trends have upset me. The fire that once burned bright in my country is growing dim. It seems that the only national identity my fellow Canadians see is this : We're not the United States.
People seem to pride themselves on this fact. When asked about what it means to be Canadian, most can't come up with anything except "Well we're not the United States."
My history professor showed us the results of a survey done at U of T last year. The survey was taken in response to the Iraq war. It simply asked this.
"Would you fight for Canada?"
and
"Would you fight for Canada if it were attacked?"
The response was an overwhelming No. NO!? On both counts! Now maybe this is just the response of a bunch of young left wing students, but whatever happened to fighting for something you believe in? Isn't this great country of ours worth defending? I'm honestly very distressed by this.
I myself would take up arms to defend this country in an instant. Now maybe this is just the sentiment of a man who's family has a proud history of serving in wartime. I had relatives that have served in The Boer War, The Great War, World War 2 and Korea. I think we can agree that in the majority of these conflicts it was necessary for Canada to fight. Whatever the reasons, my relatives heeded the call, and I would do the same in a second if it came down to that.
If they had taken the same survey in 1880, 1914, 1939, even in the 1950's... The answer would have been a resounding yes.
I don't know why the answer was no. Canada is not a melting pot like the United States. In the U.S. , you become American when you emigrate there, and eventually your original culture is melted away, so to speak. Our nation is multicultural. When people immigrate here, their cultures are nurtured and encouraged. Canada's national identity is that it has no national identity. Our culture, a non-culture. A multicultural mix.
Do you need a national identity to fight for your nation? Yes. And Canada has an identity. I don't know what it is, it's something intangible that I just know is there. I'm primarily of British descent, so identify with the UK and it's problems as well, but I'm a Canadian. My ancestry does define who I am... But doesn't make me value what I have here, in Canada any less.
If I split up the branches of my family, in terms of how long they have been in Canada it works out like this. My grandmother's family has been in Canada since the 1750's. My grandfather's family has been in Canada since the early 20th century. My other grandmother's family is the early 20th century also. My other grandfather and great uncle came to Canada in 1941, in the middle of World War 2. That basically makes me 3rd or 4th generation Canadian for the most part.
The last 50 years has seen Canada's population grow immensely. Mostly due to immigration. Toronto is the most culturally diverse city in the world.
Is it because I was born in Canada that I feel this way? Is because many of the students surveyed were immigrants that they felt this way? Do I value the freedom I have in Canada more? That's the way it seems.
I'm not saying this because I'm anti-immigration. Hell if it weren't for immigration I wouldn't be here. I don't think the issue is about immigrants. I'm sure there were Canadian born students that took that survey. In the end, I just want people to take pride in what we have in Canada. It is worth fighting for.
- Will Tuesday, October 12, 2004
0 comments
SONG OF THE DAY : DJ Shadow - Blood On The Motorway
LINK OF THE DAY : Incredible Jet Ride
I grant him bloody,
Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name.
In Search of a Canadian Identity.
I was born in Canada. I consider myself Canadian. I also love what my nation believes in and stands for. However, recent trends have upset me. The fire that once burned bright in my country is growing dim. It seems that the only national identity my fellow Canadians see is this : We're not the United States.
People seem to pride themselves on this fact. When asked about what it means to be Canadian, most can't come up with anything except "Well we're not the United States."
My history professor showed us the results of a survey done at U of T last year. The survey was taken in response to the Iraq war. It simply asked this.
"Would you fight for Canada?"
and
"Would you fight for Canada if it were attacked?"
The response was an overwhelming No. NO!? On both counts! Now maybe this is just the response of a bunch of young left wing students, but whatever happened to fighting for something you believe in? Isn't this great country of ours worth defending? I'm honestly very distressed by this.
I myself would take up arms to defend this country in an instant. Now maybe this is just the sentiment of a man who's family has a proud history of serving in wartime. I had relatives that have served in The Boer War, The Great War, World War 2 and Korea. I think we can agree that in the majority of these conflicts it was necessary for Canada to fight. Whatever the reasons, my relatives heeded the call, and I would do the same in a second if it came down to that.
If they had taken the same survey in 1880, 1914, 1939, even in the 1950's... The answer would have been a resounding yes.
I don't know why the answer was no. Canada is not a melting pot like the United States. In the U.S. , you become American when you emigrate there, and eventually your original culture is melted away, so to speak. Our nation is multicultural. When people immigrate here, their cultures are nurtured and encouraged. Canada's national identity is that it has no national identity. Our culture, a non-culture. A multicultural mix.
Do you need a national identity to fight for your nation? Yes. And Canada has an identity. I don't know what it is, it's something intangible that I just know is there. I'm primarily of British descent, so identify with the UK and it's problems as well, but I'm a Canadian. My ancestry does define who I am... But doesn't make me value what I have here, in Canada any less.
If I split up the branches of my family, in terms of how long they have been in Canada it works out like this. My grandmother's family has been in Canada since the 1750's. My grandfather's family has been in Canada since the early 20th century. My other grandmother's family is the early 20th century also. My other grandfather and great uncle came to Canada in 1941, in the middle of World War 2. That basically makes me 3rd or 4th generation Canadian for the most part.
The last 50 years has seen Canada's population grow immensely. Mostly due to immigration. Toronto is the most culturally diverse city in the world.
Is it because I was born in Canada that I feel this way? Is because many of the students surveyed were immigrants that they felt this way? Do I value the freedom I have in Canada more? That's the way it seems.
I'm not saying this because I'm anti-immigration. Hell if it weren't for immigration I wouldn't be here. I don't think the issue is about immigrants. I'm sure there were Canadian born students that took that survey. In the end, I just want people to take pride in what we have in Canada. It is worth fighting for.
- Will Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Sunday, October 10, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY : "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
SONG OF THE DAY : Muse - Blackout
LINK OF THE DAY : Young Liars
That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold,
What hath quenched them hath given me fire.
Why can't the "Children'd!" guy come out of the wood work and do that to Dubya. He'd be saving the world.
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians. Unlike the U.S. our Thanksgiving is held at the correct time, and has not yet become a pre-Christmas corporate shill of a holiday. Bring on the Turkey!
My brother as usual gets his own personal Christmas this year. His birthday is October 11th, which means we always end up celebrating Thanksgiving and his b-day at the same time. Big Thanksgiving meal, cake and presents... Lucky bastard.
University is coming along well. Lots of work and reading, but I'm enjoying it. Go U of Toronto.
And I believe that is it for now. No more writing for the sake of writing.
- Will
Sunday, October 10, 2004
0 comments
SONG OF THE DAY : Muse - Blackout
LINK OF THE DAY : Young Liars
That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold,
What hath quenched them hath given me fire.
Why can't the "Children'd!" guy come out of the wood work and do that to Dubya. He'd be saving the world.
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians. Unlike the U.S. our Thanksgiving is held at the correct time, and has not yet become a pre-Christmas corporate shill of a holiday. Bring on the Turkey!
My brother as usual gets his own personal Christmas this year. His birthday is October 11th, which means we always end up celebrating Thanksgiving and his b-day at the same time. Big Thanksgiving meal, cake and presents... Lucky bastard.
University is coming along well. Lots of work and reading, but I'm enjoying it. Go U of Toronto.
And I believe that is it for now. No more writing for the sake of writing.
- Will
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Sunday, October 03, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY : "Watching George W. Bush speak is like watching a drunken man try to cross an icey street." -Paul Begala
SONG OF THE DAY : Kool and the Gang - Summer Madness
LINK OF THE DAY : Oh those hardcore Republicans...
Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie
Which we ascribe to heaven. The fated sky
Gives us free scope, only doth backward pull
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull.
The blogging may stop but the world certainly does not.
"I'm going to kill you... No wait changed my mind."
How about that debate? Kerry won and everyone knows that, but really... to what end? His victory will be meaningless if he doesn't win the election, it's a good step though.
Paul Martin apparently loves George Bush.
Canadian Parliament resumes on Tuesday. Now let's see if shit can actually get done with a Liberal Minority. Enough politics though, onto the exciting stuff. VOLCANOES AND ROCKET SHIPS! YEEEE HAAAAAA!
As people are no doubt aware, our good friend Mount St. Helens in Washington State began rumbling late last week. Geologists are expecting a fairly sizable eruption. Nothing on the scale of the 1980 blast, which killed 57 people and blew half the mountain off. And since there is no visible threat to human life, I'd like to say I think this is damn cool. Go nature!
Spaceship One will, if all goes according to plan win the Ansari X Prize tomorrow morning. Funded by Microsoft's Paul Allen, built by legendary aerospace designer Burt Rutan and sponsored by Richard Branson of Virgin the Spaceship One project has already flown two successful manned missions to the edge of space. The first commercial enterprise to do so. If they do it again tomorrow, they will win the Ansari X Prize : $10 million dollars.
One of two Canadian teams, The da Vinci Project will most likely be the second successful team. This is the birth of the commercialization of space, could be good, could be bad. I'm definitely looking forward to the prospect of going into space in my lifetime.
- Will
Sunday, October 03, 2004
0 comments
SONG OF THE DAY : Kool and the Gang - Summer Madness
LINK OF THE DAY : Oh those hardcore Republicans...
Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie
Which we ascribe to heaven. The fated sky
Gives us free scope, only doth backward pull
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull.
The blogging may stop but the world certainly does not.
"I'm going to kill you... No wait changed my mind."
How about that debate? Kerry won and everyone knows that, but really... to what end? His victory will be meaningless if he doesn't win the election, it's a good step though.
Paul Martin apparently loves George Bush.
Canadian Parliament resumes on Tuesday. Now let's see if shit can actually get done with a Liberal Minority. Enough politics though, onto the exciting stuff. VOLCANOES AND ROCKET SHIPS! YEEEE HAAAAAA!
As people are no doubt aware, our good friend Mount St. Helens in Washington State began rumbling late last week. Geologists are expecting a fairly sizable eruption. Nothing on the scale of the 1980 blast, which killed 57 people and blew half the mountain off. And since there is no visible threat to human life, I'd like to say I think this is damn cool. Go nature!
Spaceship One will, if all goes according to plan win the Ansari X Prize tomorrow morning. Funded by Microsoft's Paul Allen, built by legendary aerospace designer Burt Rutan and sponsored by Richard Branson of Virgin the Spaceship One project has already flown two successful manned missions to the edge of space. The first commercial enterprise to do so. If they do it again tomorrow, they will win the Ansari X Prize : $10 million dollars.
One of two Canadian teams, The da Vinci Project will most likely be the second successful team. This is the birth of the commercialization of space, could be good, could be bad. I'm definitely looking forward to the prospect of going into space in my lifetime.
- Will
Sunday, October 03, 2004
FipiLele
