Christian Conservative Speaks... Cryptically

Ever since the breaking of the robocall scandal back in March, the former members of the Marty Burke campaign, including Burke himself, have gone into silent running mode, including Burke's Deputy Campaign Manager Andrew Prescott.

If there's a reason that Prescott's silence stuck out a little more than Michael Sona's, Ken Morgan's or even Burke's himself it's because Prescott is (or was) a fairly active blogger under the handle Christian Conservative. The last post on that blog was dated February 5th, at least a month and a half before the robocall issue went full tilt national scandal, at which point Guelph specifically, and the Burke campaign team even more specifically, went under the microscope. On blogs and on social media, Guelph's Christian Conservative's been eerily silent.

Until now.

Robocall Scandal: Are the Dominos Falling...

Big news today out of Etobicoke Centre - and it's not too often you get to write a line like that - in what maybe the first political causality of the Robocall scandal. According to Ontario Superior Court Justice Thomas Lederer, the election results in the riding from May 2nd, 2011 are invalid, and if the ruling stands, a by-election must be called there. If you'll recall Etobicoke Centre was the riding where Conservative candidate Ted Opitz beat Liberal incumbent Borys Wrzesnewskyj by a mere 26 votes.

Fountain of (Renewed) Youth

This is more or less live from St George's Square as the Family Fountain is finally uncovered and seemingly ready to run water again. As you'll notice that the fountain is filling up with water. 

Calling a Spade a Spade

So it's time again for one of my annual diatribes. As I flipped through the Guelph Tribune this morning, waiting for my bagel to toast (true story), today's streeter - the part of the paper where they ask the opinion of people on the street their thoughts on a pending issue or event - asked: "What are you doing this May 2-4?"

Really? Well, actually it isn't the question that bothers me, it's the reference to Victoria Day as May 2-4, an expression that seems at once both uneducated and disrespectful. Yes friends, I'm talking about the the boorish disregard for Queen Victoria and the role she played in helping Canada establish its independence, and replacing it with a numerical code with the dual meaning of the rough date of Victoria Day and drinking a lot of beer. 

And no, this is not a joke.

Hudak's Coming to Town

I guess the fact that the government didn't fall last week isn't dissuading Tim Hudak from doing a campaign style swing through the province, and this Thursday, he'll be in Guelph for a townhall. 

Kidding aside though, it should be fun. I can't remember the last time a party leader was in town for a public meeting (at least in a non-election context).

Here's the press release I received this afternoon from the Guelph Provincial Progressive Conservative Association (GPPCA)

"The Dictator" Praises Stephen Harper

It's all in good fun of course, but when Sacha Baron Cohen was recently interviewed by George Stroumboulopoulos in character for his new movie The Dictator, the self-styled Admiral General Aladeen had words of (faint) praise for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Mega Condo Approved; A Few Reservations

Talk about places to grow, it now appears that statement includes the skyline in Guelph. Last night, council approved the construction of an 18-storey condominium tower for the corner of Macdonell and Woolwich streets. To some this is a sign that Guelph is growing up, to others this is a scary sign of things to come. But the mandate was clear, only three councillors voted against the proposal from Tricar. 

Politico-Related Films From Hot Docs

I spent the better part of the last two weeks covering the Hot Docs documentary film festival in Toronto for my day job at Press+1. Now typically, there isn't much overlap with this blog and my work for Press+1, but Hot Docs is one of the rare instances where maybe that isn't the case.

To wit, I caught a lot of films about politics, issues, and activism. In fact, as a regular Hot Docs attendee, I would say that there were more films that fall under those themes than normally. Probably the times, I suppose. Anyway, I decided to share some links of some of the interviews and reviews I did for the festival, which you can find below:

Ford to Star Reporter "Get Off My Lawn"

Because you asked for it! It's time for another Rob Ford controversy, and this maybe the most bizarre one yet, and that friends is truly saying something. From the producer of such fine hits as "F#@$ you and your kids for pointing out my illegal cell phone use while driving," and "Gay Pride? But I've got to go to my cottage," and "Get this 60-year-old comedienne dressed as a fictional warrior princess away from me! Help! Police!" comes the brand new "Dale the Mennis" or "Get the hell off my lawn you punk Toronto Star reporter!"

Are the Olympics Worth Having Missiles On Top of Your Apartment Building?

As I was flipping through the paper yesterday, I came across a story about how British Air Defense was installing surface-to-air missiles on top of a British apartment building in preparation for the London Olympics this summer. So basically, about 700 people living in this building in Bow, a suburb outside of London, are now, for all intents and purposes, sitting on a missile installation. Temporary though it may be.