On the way home today, the STM bus driver on my route not only greeted every passenger with a friendly “bonjour”, but he proceeded to announce the direction and terminus of the bus, as well as every stop along the route.
What city is this and what have they done with Montreal? What’s next, roads without potholes?
If this was the initiative of one lone bus driver, kudos to him. If this reflects some sort of new STM policy – and I highly doubt that it does – then it’s about damn time.
Now if only they could get the buses to show up on schedule…
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Holocaust-denying bishop Richard Williamson, recently reinstated by the Pope, much to the anger of Jewish groups worldwide, has issued the classic non-apology apology:
“Amidst this tremendous media storm stirred up by imprudent remarks of mine on Swedish television, I beg of you to accept, only as is properly respectful, my sincere regrets for having caused to yourself and to the Holy Father so much unnecessary distress and problems,” Williamson wrote.
In other words, “I’m not sorry for what I did; I’m just sorry it caused you headaches”. Has he been taking lessons from Mel Gibson?
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The Conservative minority government will live to fight another day. Michael Ignatieff announced that the Liberals would support the Tory budget, slightly amended, to avoid the collapse of the government for the time being. Maybe this means they can quit squabbling like kindergarteners and actually, you know, govern for a little while?
People in Quebec seem to like Iggy: The Liberals are up to 31% here, according to the latest CROP poll. That’s double the Conservative support and only three points behind the Bloc. Definitely a good sign.
If Ignatieff can manage to consolidate the Liberal party base and make some key gains in the west, the next election might not be such a wash. Harper needs to tread very carefully.
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The Guardian profiles Jon Favreau, the 27-year-old head speechwriter on the Obama team largely responsible for most of the speeches he has given on the campaign trail, as well as for yesterday’s inauguration address:
When Barack Obama steps up to the podium to deliver his inaugural address, one man standing anonymously in the crowd will be paying especially close attention. With his cropped hair, five o’clock shadow and boyish face, he might look out of place among the dignitaries, though as co-author of the speech this man has more claim than most to be a witness to this moment of history.
Jon Favreau, 27, is, as Obama himself puts it, the president’s mind reader. He is the youngest chief speechwriter on record in the White House, and, despite such youth, was at the centre of discussions of the content of today’s speech, one which has so much riding on it.
The full text of the inauguration speech is available here.
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So with Obama’s inauguration yesterday, the Broadway show Avenue Q needs some replacement lyrics, quick:
With the imminent departure of President George W. Bush, the creators and producers of the Tony-winning musical Avenue Q launched a contest to replace a lyric in the musical’s final song, “For Now,” that states, “George Bush!” is only “for now.”
Over 2,000 entries were received, and the judging panel — including Q creators Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty and the show’s producers — have selected four possibilities that will be tested over several performances to “gauge the response and audience reaction, and determine which lyric emerges as the most satisfying,” according to a press statement.
The contest lyrics that will be tested follow:
“Recession”
“Prop 8”
“This show”
“Your mother-in-law”
Avenue Q is, of course, no stranger to political satire. In 2004, it held its own version of the Bush-Kerry presidential debate… with song, dance and puppets.
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It’s official: Barack Obama was sworn in today to the office of the President of the United States.
I’m normally a cynic, but even I’m finding it difficult not to be a little idealistic today. Obama has a real gift for oratory and for inspiration, and you could feel the change in the air watching the whole thing.
Sure, expectations for Obama are so high that he has nowhere to go but down. And sure, the US and indeed the world are in messes from which it’s going to take an awfully long time to climb out from.
But the much-maligned, misunderestimated Dubya was perhaps the most hated, divisive president of modern times. Obama’s inauguration today was met with a worldwide sigh of relief, and of optimism for things to come.
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And now, you can study it at school. Yes, believe it or not, there’s a course at Université de Montréal, all about the religion of the Habs:
The Swiss-born Universite de Montreal professor said the ubiquitous relics and rituals linked to the Habs struck him when he arrived in the city a few years ago.
The similarities prompted Olivier Bauer to launch a crusade – in the form of a university course – to explore the many ties between a team that hails its sweater as La Sainte Flanelle – or holy flannel – and spiritual devotion.
Yes, it’s a religion here all right. In its jubilee 100th year. With a big revival in the form of All-Star Weekend coming up next week. And of course, we’re all hoping that this will finally be the year when Les Boys bring home the Holy Grail: the Stanley Cup.
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Canada was the only member of the ironically-named UN Human Rights Council to vote against a resolution condemning Israel for its actions in Gaza yesterday:
At a meeting in Geneva, Canada asked for a recorded vote to emphasize its complaint that the resolution drafted by Arab, Asian and African countries did not recognize that Israel acted to stop Hamas rocket attacks.
After years of waffling in the UN on these one-sided resolutions, Canada is finally showing some moral courage. Both the Conservatives and the Liberals have come out with strong statements on this matter, as they well should.
Unfortunately, the UNHRC is a joke and will continue to be a joke. But Canada is using its seat on the Council to at least register a vote of conscience, which is better than nothing.
(Hat tip: Daimnation.)
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I said it in my last post, but in case you didn’t get the message, here’s a repeat: If you’re not reading Imshin religiously lately, you need to be. As in, now.
Here are just a few reasons why:
There’s more. Much, much more. What are you still doing here? Head on over there and start reading.
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