Would Wildrose have shut down Alberta’s Human Rights Commission

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Election win by Conservatives puts issue to rest but for how long?

Alison Redford, Alberta Premier on the phone jubilant at election win(photo credit - Todd Korol / Reuters)

Against the odds and Canada’s top pollsters and media predictions, Conservative Alison Redford has won a decided victory in Alberta’s provincial election.

Canadian human rights advocates can breathe a sigh of relief that Wildrose didn’t take the government. Wildrose leader Danielle Smith announced plans to close down Alberta’s Human Rights Commission, replacing it with a branch of the court system to weed out “frivolous” human rights complaints. Continue reading →

Remembering Levon Helm

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Bob Dylan, Elton John and me – remembering the Great Levon Helm

Levon Helm at Newport Folk Festival 2008 (photo credit WFUV Flickr Creative Commons non commercial)

Rock musician, actor and author Levon Helm is being remembered by many people since his death last week. Some are of those people famous and some like me, not. When I saw Levon Helm in The Last Waltz, it changed my live forever.

But the memories are strong. Share your remembrance of Levon if you like. Continue reading →

NY Times comes out swinging against access for disabled

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Stephen Pate

The ADA is 21 years old but the New York Times wants us to feel pity for businesses that are still inaccessible

Carr Massi, who uses a wheelchair, has sued five businesses in Manhattan for violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act. (photo Jennifer S. Altman for The New York Times)

The New York Times came out swinging against compliance with the ADA in the story Disabilities Act Prompts Flood of Suits Some Cite as Unfair.

It’s the “White’s Only Lunch Counter” and Selma, Alabama all over again, only this time blacks are escaping the discrimination backlash and the bigots are in New York. The New York Times thinks lawyers who sue for compliance under the Americans With Disability Acts are “ambulance chasers.” Continue reading →

Rock musician Levon Helm passes away

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Famed member of The Band and Bob Dylan touring rock band dies from complications of cancer

Levon Helm (b. 1940 - d. 2012) famous rock musician Fredericton Harvest Blues Festival 2011 (photo Stephen Pate)

His family posted this brief message on Facebook

“Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon. He was surrounded by family, friends and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul.”

He had suffered from throat cancer which has been in remission, although his singing voice never fully recovered.

Update – Remembering Levon Helm

Continue reading →

Body surfing at the Festival of Colors

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Stephen Pate

A cross between a rock concert, paint ball party and religious festival

Holi Festival of Colors, Spanish Fork, UT (photograph Thomas Hawk)

If you thought Utah was just for Mormons and Mitt Romney, you missed the Hindi Holi Festival held at the Sri Sri Radha Krisha Temple, in Spanish Forks Utah on March 24-25th, 2012.

The Hindi Holi festival announces the coming of spring and the passing of winter.
Continue reading →

Rock and Roll legend Levon Helm near death says family

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Stephen Pate

The authentic voice behind the songs, the beat and one of the singers in The Band is in the final stages of cancer

Levon Helm at the Fredericton Harvest Blues and Jazz Festival 2011 (photo Stephen Pate)

Three hours ago his family posted this message on Facebook.

“Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey. …

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration… he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage…

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.

From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy”

Update - Rock musician Levon Helm passes away

Continue reading →

3 Editions of Windows 8 announced

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Stephen Pate

The number of SKUs will be simplified at launch this fall – two on Intel computers and one for ARM mobile devices

Windows 8 Metro home (picture NJN Network)

On the Windows Blog Microsoft announced the three versions of Windows 8 that will ship, greatly simplifying the choice for consumers and business.

Windows 8 will be the consumer product. Enthusiasts and organization with networking will likely purchase Windows 8 Pro. You won’t be able to buy Windows RT: it’s an OEM version for manufacturers of tablets, smart phones and other devices. Continue reading →

Review – Acer T231H Touch Monitor for Windows 8

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Acer T231H bmid is the only reasonably priced monitor capable of multi-touch with Windows 8

Acer T231H Windows 7 and 8 touch monitor

Surprisingly the Acer T231H bmid is the only $300 monitor that delivers a multi-touch in Windows 7.

Once I started using this monitor, it was hard to give it up, so I bought another one to replace an old Samsung.

There is only a small cost premium over a non-touch monitor. Continue reading →

Ron Hynes – 30 For 60 – a Hail Mary bet

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Canada’s Man of a Thousand Songs hits a genuine note

“Stealing Genius” which contains “30 for 60″ is a great gem for Newfoundlanders and people who wish they were Newfoundlanders – which pretty much takes up most of mankind.

The phrase “30 for 60″ means an all-out-bid in the Irish game of Forty-Five’s (45′s). When your down in the game, it’s a Hail Mary bid to beat your opponent with a 60 point upside or downside.

Continue reading →