May 31, 2007
The Tyee: Part of the solution
This Magazine is fortunate to be associated with a number of other fiercely independent news gatherers in Canada; we tend to believe that a diversity of voices is an essential part of a democratic media system. That’s why the success of The Tyee website (which I wrote about in the magazine awhile back) is so inspiring. In the face of highly concentrated news media ownership in British Columbia,... [More >>]
May 30, 2007
When tragedy strikes, community media steps in
If you aren’t from Ottawa, you might not have heard of Dixie Landers. And if you don’t read the queer press, you probably haven’t heard that the popular and well-loved drag personality has been in a coma for the last three days, after being severely injured in a bar fight. The story hasn’t hit the mainstream press, but Ottawa’s queer community is getting up-to-the minute... [More >>]
May 29, 2007
HIV? Thanks, officer.
Police crackdowns on drug use lead to increases in HIV transmission. This assertion is supported by “Do Not Cross,” a just-released report from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. To avoid HIV, hepatitis, abcesses and other health problems, ideally an injection drug user should use a new, clean needle each time. But when people are afraid of being thrown in jail, they avoid carrying needles... [More >>]
May 25, 2007
Friday Links: What does a billion trees look like? Giant inflatable rats and Happy 100th Rachel Carson
The United Nations Environment Programme is announcing a program that would see a billion trees planted in 2007. We’re not sure how feasible that is, really. As of this blog post UNEP had planted just over 14 million trees. It’s almost June! New York City union activists have enlisted an ally in their fight for labour rights…. a giant 12-foot tall inflatable rat (let’s call... [More >>]
May 19, 2007
Long Weekend Links: Zero footprint calculator, more ads on TV and hopscotch
Toronto’s Mayor David Miller was at the C40 Large Cities conference and unveiled a zero footprint calculator with Ron Dembo, CEO of zerofootprint. It will be live soon but you can try it out. TV networks have been whining about decreasing ad revenues for a long time now. As more of us Tivo, download and tune out of television all together ad revenues will decrease. Well, the CRTC wants to help... [More >>]
May 17, 2007
the self-correcting internet touches down in Iceland
(photo courtesy Rebekka) This one’s got everything I love — a copyright fight, great photography, Iceland, some folks behaving badly and genuine contrition. Maybe there is something to this internet thing after all. Most everyone has by now heard of the talented Rebekka Gudleifsdottir, a Flickr photography star of the highest order. Rebekka’s stunning Icelandic landscapes and moody,... [More >>]
May 16, 2007
Speaking ill of the dead
I know I’m not the only one who started singing “ding-dong the witch is dead” when I heard yesterday that gay-hating televangelist Jerry Falwell had kicked the bucket. I felt not a second of hesitation before letting out a little cheer, imagining an afterlife for Mr. Falwell filled with teletubbies, feminists and sodomites. Does this make me a mean, terrible person? Should I be filled... [More >>]
May 12, 2007
Free Alan Johnston, Toronto journalists say
On Thursday afternoon, I attended a rally outside the CBC building in Toronto in support of the BBC’s Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston, who has been held by a militant group in the region since they abducted him some 62 days ago. A few CBC personalities and other journalists said a few words each to the lunchtime crowd of about 250 media workers, and their message was simple: No journalist... [More >>]
May 12, 2007
Friday Links: Oh how we wish it were true, reality TV meets magazine and Happy Mother’s Day!
One half of the duo of delusion stepped down from his position of power today. But man, do we wish this CNN screen grab was true. Sadly it’s just a typo. Opinions on graffiti might vary, but man do we dislike corporate graffiti. Here’s hoping this idea takes off. We’re partially frightened but also very curious about this idea from the U.K. Take a few D-list celebrities and make... [More >>]
May 11, 2007
Girl, you’re gonna want in on this…
Just a quick follow up to Shawn’s posting below. I’m not sure anymore which wave of feminism we’re in, and this, um, intriguing Locher’s clothing line is not helping clear up my confusion. Do I give the “Will f*** for shoes” shirt with irony, or sincerity? Someone help me out here. (image courtesy lochers.com) Thanks to Boing Boing for the tip. [More >>]
