on There Is Some Crazy Shit Going Down In Canada at 13:00 12/04/2008

Every so often, at the whim of the reigning Prime Minister (who is not the head of state, that's the Queen, who is toothless) an election is called. The leader of the party that wins a majority of seats becomes the new Prime Minister. Unlike the U.S. President, there is nothing stopping the PM from doing whatever they please. It's like electing a new dictator every 1 to 5 years (and PM's call elections then the polls indicate that they'll win).

So, in the last election he called (12 weeks ago), Harper didn't get a majority, as the sum of the numbers of MPs election from the 3 opposition parties added up to more than the number of his Conservative seats. Harper and his party still got the most, but not by much. So, instead of cooperating, Harper behaves like a dictator, and the 3 other parties form a coalition to toss him out and govern themselves (using the usual "no confidence motion" that would oust him). He beat them to the punch and dissolved Parliament before they could do it. That's what's up.

It could never happen in the U.S..

on A Worthwhile Cause at 12:06 11/26/2008

I am so glad this program exists. What is not being reported in the media, but is well-known by those who keep an eye on the "adoption industry" is that many soldier's cannot afford to raise their children and their wives are surrendering their newborn children to adoption. This even means second and third children. Poverty is forcing them to. Is this tragedy really what we want for our soldiers? Being a soldier means a steady income, but often not an income high enough to feed a family, especially if your wife cannot find work or daycare so she can go out to work.

on Simon's Secret: Cowell Sits On Cushions to Look Taller on TV at 14:31 10/15/2008

From IMDB:

Simon is 5'9"
Piers is 6'1"

Simon has a huge insecurity problem, obviously.