Sometimes I want to share with you things that are happening in Canada but I don't feel they deserve a whole diary. So I thought I might combine a few things that are happening up here into a diary called "Notes from the North" from time to time.
The first installment has a theme. "See, we have loony politicians up here too."
First up is Rob Ford, recently elected mayor of Toronto. In 1999, Ford was arrested in Miami for driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.Those charges were later dropped. Charges of assault and threatening death involving a 2008 incident with his wife were also dropped. He has also been accused of giving the finger to a woman who chastised him for talking on his cel phone while driving. Just to give you an idea of what Mr. Ford is like.
He is currently in hot water over an incident involving a well-known satirical TV show called This hour has 22 minutes. Actress Mary Walsh, plays the character of journalist Marg Delahunty, Princess Warrior and she was trying to interview Ford for a regular segment in which she approaches politicians for surprise interviews. Many Canadian politicians, including former prime minister Jean Chrétien, have been subjected to Walsh's surprise approach. They usually take it in stride and try to play along with good humour.
But Ford was not amused. He went inside his house and called 911 and when police didn't arrive right away, Ford allegedly turned on the dispatcher in a subsequent call, yelling: Don't you f---ing know? I'm Rob f---ing Ford, the mayor of this city!”
The ironic thing is that Ford is advocating cutting back on police hirings so in the future when he is attacked by comediennes and camera crews he may have to wait even longer than the 10 minutes it took police to respond.
Now I have to say that I don't think he should have been approached at his home, where his daughter apparently was getting ready for school and was scared. However, Ford is a big man, and is a bit of a bully so I think it is odd that he is so terrified by a woman in a cape.
You can learn more about the story and see the "attack" here:
http://www.cbc.ca/...
And here is one of Marg Delahunty's more successful ambushes/interviews with Jean Chretien, the Prime Minister at the time:
Now, how many Senators does it take to change the national animal? Nicole Eaton is hoping just one.
Senator Eaton wants to get rid of our national symbol, the beaver.She calls the beaver a "dentally defective rat" and a "toothy tyrant".
Instead, she is advocating the polar bear as a replacement because I guess they have much better dental hygiene or something and in her words:"The polar bear, with its strength, courage, resourcefulness, and dignity is perfect for the part,".
Defenders of the beaver call it "hard-working, loyal and humble. " One commenter pointed out that while polar bears live off the (seal) fat of the land, the lowly beaver works his (beaver) tail off to provide for his family.
Others point out that at the rate things are going, the polar bear may soon be extinct and how would that look?
The Canadian senate is appointed, not elected, and many think it should be abolished. But hopefully not until this very important issue is resolved. I fully expect to see bumper stickers reading , "Keep the beaver, dump the senate."
So you see, you are not the only country with idiotic politicians. Though I must say, we've never had a witch. So far.