CBC sinks to new low of press release journalism

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Will they correct the misleading story on the wheelchair ramp at Brackley Beach?

Press release journalism results in false story

CBC’s code of journalistic ethics says that “The information conforms with reality and is not in any way misleading or false.” Yet in the case of their June 18th story they claimed Parks Canada had spent $500,000 making Brackley Beach more accessible. Parks Canada spent the money but the beach is not accessible by any reasonable standards.

Will they correct the story or is this another example of the lazy and arrogant news reporting at CBC Charlottetown? Continue reading →

Nothing about us without us at Parks Canada

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Parks Canada stumbles with half million dollar white elephant at Brackley Beach

Brackley Beach ramp $500,000, 500 feet and not accessible by wheelchair

The new wheelchair accessible ramp at Brackley Beach in the PEI National Park is not accessible. Half a million dollars was wasted on the monstrosity that towers 18 feet in the air and 500 feet long. Parks Canada forgot to include people with disabilities in the design process.

“The fight is between stupidity and the people who make these decisions…they do things without us. They don’t ask our opinion ahead of time.” Continue reading →

Economist Predicts G20 Austerity will deepen third depression

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Plan to cut deficits in half in three years means austerity or higher taxes which will drive the economy into a depression

Irish housing project abandoned when real estate market colllapsed image: Eoin O'Conaill for the International Herald Tribune.

The ink is barely dry on the last minute agreement of President Obama to reduce the US deficit by $750 billion dollars in three years. Driven by the desperation of the European Union and Canada’s posturing on fiscal restraint, Obama is already backtracking on the promise with good reason.

The US is still in a depression from the bank collapse of 2008 and things are only marginally better. Unemployment is a historic highs. Housing sales tanked after the Federal grants ended. Other than high-profile iPhones and gadgets, consumption of consumer goods is not improving.

The New York Times is carrying an op-ed piece by economist Paul Krugman who believes we are already slipping into a “third depression.”

Continue reading →

How to Capture Billy Gibbons’ ZZ Top Guitar Tone

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Byline

Next in a Series of Step-by-Step Guides to Home Recording

By Jim Dalyrmple, from Gibson Have you ever tried to play like one of your guitar heroes, but weren’t able to get your tone quiet right? Allow us to lend a hand. Straight from the Gibson archives, “The Gibson Classic Tone Tip” can help you sound just like some of music’s biggest stars and greatest legends. Today we feature the furry tone of Billy Gibbons. With ZZ Top, Billy’s been pumping out that Texas roadhouse sound since the ’60s. Clearly this is tone that has “Legs.”

Continue reading →

Sarah McLachlan at Starbucks

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Free concert at Starbucks HQ

John Ewart passed away

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Well known writer, farmer, computer expert, newspaper editor, wit and humanitarian died June 25th in his 82nd year

John Ewart image: Island Deaths

It makes me profoundly sad to write about the passing of an old friend John Ewart who died on Friday.

Everyone who knew John Ewart can tell you stories about him. He was a great guy who pretended to be tight with the penny but had great generosity of the spirit.

John was well liked by everyone he met. His sense of humor and intelligence were unforgettable as was his desire to help others.

I will try to give you my remembrance of John. If any facts are confused, feel free to correct them. They are based only my memory of John’s numerous stories from the countless hours we spent together.

He was born in Montreal and had a Montrealer’s sensibility about many things. Montrealer’s have the duality of English and French along with a wonderful internationalism from the many immigrant communities that share the city. I had lived there for 9 years so when we met there was an instant affinity for shared experiences.

Continue reading →

Harper reacts with police violence to public protest

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Stephen Pate

They old can’t kill the young forever, Tienanmen Square

(Last 31 seconds of police charge on Queen St. at Spadina)

It is a shame on Canada that Prime Minister Harper doesn’t want to hear the voices of Canadians. Neither did the Communist leadership in China at Tienanmen Square.

Harper reacted to the G20 protests the same way the Chinese government did with military might. Harper got ready with in $1 billion in police buildup.

The police attacked the crowd on Queen Street West near Spadina. Up until then people had been walking and protesting, carrying their signs. Those would be Charter Rights in Canada.

After singing O’Canada, a few people sat in the middle of the street and the police charged the crowd. (8:30 in the video) Then the violence began. Don’t take our word for it. The video is crystal clear (after the story break)

Continue reading →

G20 Sunday Toronto as a police state

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Byline

At Queen and Spadina, police detain a man who'd yelled something at them as they'd gone by on bikes. (Michael Chrisman/Torontoist)

Torontoist coverage of Sunday with random arrests of non-violent protesters and bystanders

“Sunday—a day that started very quietly and that was mostly peaceful, but one that won’t soon be forgotten for what happened in the evening and night at Queen and Spadina—is collected here, with updates in reverse-chronological order.” Up to 600 people were arrested in Toronto on Sunday during a day of peaceful protests. See G20 Timeline: Sunday Torontoist

G20 Photo coverage Saturday

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Byline

Free Tibet - one of the dozens of protest groups (Nancy Paiva/Torontoist)

The G20 street events overshadowed world leaders secret meetings – here is photo and video coverage by Torontoist

For more pics and commentary on Saturday, click The Torontoist G20 Timeline. For videos and commentary see G20 Live: Saturday

CBC says PEI beach is now wheelchair accessible

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Updated – According to CBC but it’s really not when you check

Beach wheelchair at PEI's Brackley Beach image: CBC

CBC – Prince Edward Island National Park officially opened for the season Friday, with some upgrades and additions for people with disabilities.

See – Parks Canada $500K wheelchair ramp not accessible

Visitors to the park’s popular Brackley Beach will notice a new pedestrian ramp this season. The $500,000 structure is designed to make the beach more accessible to wheelchairs. Continue reading →