Archive for March 2012

It’s not Keith Olbermann’s fault that democracy in America today can’t seem to find a place for him ..

Mar 31st, 2012 | By | Category: USA Today

[UPDATED APRIL 2] : David Ogilvy, the original Mad Man (founder and creative head of Hewitt, Ogilvy, Benson, & Mather, which later morphed into just Ogilvy & Mather, 1948—1975), apparently had three simple rules of success: “First, make a reputation for being a creative genius. Second, surround yourself with partners who are better than you […]



Canada Budget 2012 .. “terminus of Tory radicalism” or “conservative nation”?

Mar 30th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

There is something to be said for the argument that sowing confusion among his enemies has become one of the mature Stephen Harper’s most skilfully wielded political weapons. And, whatever else,  yesterday’s 2012 federal budget succeeds brilliantly at the task. As a case in point see “Ministers tout ‘modest’ Tory plan to slash spending, shrink […]



Waiting for the 2012 Ontario Budget .. and wondering what will happen next?

Mar 27th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

[UPDATED MARCH 27, 5 PM ET]. The Ontario budget that finance minister Dwight Duncan is unveiling later today will be “a uniquely Liberal” document. “We are taking a balanced approach. We will be asking everyone to do their share,” the minister told “a large media throng in his office” yesterday. He’s also hoping his “spending […]



Watching the NDP/NPD leadership vote .. a “new political dynamic” in Canada just may be Blowin’ in the Wind

Mar 24th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

TORONTO. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012. One thing I’ve remembered this weekend is watching the convention that founded today’s New Democratic Party on TV, as A Teenager in North Toronto, so to speak (humourously, ironically, sarcastically, satirically, or whatever), in the middle of the summer of 1961. Inevitably, I am not as enthused and hopeful as […]



We like Cullen best .. but we’ll probably bet on Mulcair from Outremont (and hope for “a coalition” in the end)

Mar 21st, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

PM Harper has now “left for a weeklong, three-country tour of Asia,” and will not be around for the NDP leadership convention in Toronto this coming Friday and Saturday. The Toronto newspapers – here in the city where our own global head office is located – have nonetheless been full of razzle dazzle about the […]



March 19, 21, 24, 27, and 29 – two weeks of political mania in the Toronto-Centred Region .. and beyond

Mar 19th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

Today’s by-election for Jack Layton’s old seat in Toronto-Danforth just kicks off two weeks of intense political mania at all three levels of government, in what was once mistakenly called the Toronto-Centred Region by Ontario government planners. Inevitably all this is of most interest to actual residents of the region. (See “Jack Layton’s Toronto-Danforth riding […]



Lesbian-themed werewolf romance with Elvis’s granddaughter back in the news

Mar 16th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

Back in the dog days of August 2010, Citizen X posted a long-hot-summer lament on this site called “A ‘lesbian-themed werewolf romance’ .. what will they think of next, etc??” His lament began with: “It may just be the summer heat that does not seem to be going away this year – or my all […]



Our Mrs Brooks arrested again in UK .. Hamm slams Kardashian, Axelrod stalks Mormons, and “robocalls” lingers in British North America

Mar 14th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

The counterweights editors have just informed me that a piece I did last summer – “Catching up with UK hacking scandal .. Rebekah Brooks (nee Wade/Mrs. Ross Kemp) and Wendi Deng Murdoch!” – has been receiving some striking fresh attention from readers. And the editors have asked me to quickly update the ongoing adventures of […]



Game change : Sarah Palin movie, Rob Ford nation, and the new leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

Mar 11th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

Like millions of others in North America who remain far more interested in politics than common sense suggests we ought to be, last night I watched the HBO TV movie “Game Change” – about Sarah Palin’s run as US Vice Presidential candidate in 2008.  And I agree that it “is gripping throughout, because it’s ‘well-acted.’.” […]



Laying low for March break : update on Fordist revolution in the T dot .. and the latest global Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Mar 10th, 2012 | By | Category: In Brief

Even The Tyee in BC is talking about how “Harper backs Toronto’s mayor’s yen for subways, cars over light rail.” Here on the waterfront where we are headquartered, only half an hour from the downtown depths of the city with the heart of a loan shark itself (by public transit), we have just completed our […]