You can have a gander at the report yourself via the link above, but it’s interesting to note that Canada ranked a B- while simultaneously being put on America’s “watch list” as an IP infringer (i.e. our measures don’t go far enough).

Most notable in the category scores was a F (complete fail), in the “freedom and access to use” in public affairs category, and D grades for both “scope and duration of copyright” as well as “freedom to share and transfer”.

Read the whole post here: http://patrickbay.ca/blog/?p=2746

The Star is reporting today that a newly found budget surplus, nearly double previous estimates, will be used to pay for streetcars purchased by Miller’s administration. While the surplus is bigger than expected (even though pretty much everyone but the Ford administration knew it), it’s worthwhile to note how the Fordites are continuing their divisive propaganda by trying to suggest the decisions behind the budget are Council’s fault:

“Council directed that the surplus be directed to capital purchases and specifically the new TTC streetcar order,” Milczyn said.

Except, guess what?

FORD WANTS TO USE SURPLUS TO PAY FOR STREETCARS…while some councillors are suggesting the surplus cash be used to stop other budget cuts, Ford echoed Budget Chief Mike Del Grande’s stance that the surplus should be put into the city’s cash-strapped capital budget…Mark Towhey, Ford’s director of policy, stressed Thursday that the city has to put a portion of the 2011 budget surplus towards the capital budget, particularly the TTC’s fleet of new streetcars.

So Fordo and his cadre get the surplus wrong, and then they go and point fingers at Council when in reality they themselves directly spearheaded the push for spending the money this way. At this rate, they’ll probably be blaming the insistence on subways on Miller too (because they were Ford’s priorities since day one, of course).

Have you been wondering what happened to the lawsuit launched by Clayton Ruby against Rob Ford for his conflict of interest? Last we were told, the thing would be going to Superior Court some time in mid March but then all the reports went silent (along with the Toronto Star ban, the Boardwalk Pub libel lawsuit, and the election expense audits, to mention just a few).

Well, I got in touch with Mr. Ruby’s office and, for some reason, the conflict of interest lawsuit has been deferred to September (pretty much par for the course for all of the complaints against him now). Perhaps it’s because Justice Charles Hackland is coming in from Ottawa to hear the matter at a Toronto Superior Court (for three days starting on September 5th), but we once again have to play the waiting game while the Mayor continues to flaunt his refusal to follow the rules.

I just sent in a request to the Toronto Integrity Commissioner’s office asking why we even have rules when Ford just goes ahead and breaks them whenever he pleases. Hopefully I’ll get a response, but I have a feeling it won’t be very satisfying.

Other than Michael Geist who mentioned it on his blog a couple of years ago, not a single Canadian mainstream media outlet has made so much as a peep about Access Copyright which, within a week, will see Canadian students paying upwards of 1000% (yes, that’s a thousand percent), on course materials.

Clearly no rush, and a thousand percent increase obviously isn’t worth reporting on. Nope.

That’s why you’d be hard-pressed to find anything on it except maybe in a few US tech blogs and publications (which astutely describe it as “insane” and “disastrous”). Students are about to be ensnared into paying through the nose for course materials, as are taxpayers who will be dragged into paying for the oppressive copyright regime sweeping the globe — and without any say or even notification. That’s right, everyone will be forced to pay, no questions asked.

This could almost be called a conspiracy theory if only it weren’t fact. And where is the illustrious mainstream media? Talking hard topics like the NHL, Harold the scumbag, erm, “Jewelry Buyer”, bullshit elections in Alberta, and Bev Oda’s continuing abuse of taxpayer money.

This is where our once great country is heading, folks; hope this helps to wake some of you up. These kinds of backroom abuses will just keep getting worse until we stand up and start fighting back — and bull-horning each other on the streets just ain’t doing the trick any more.

Exactly…

But from where I’m sitting out here in left But from where I’m sitting out here in left field, the mayor’s given no quarter, and field, the mayor’s given no quarter, and shown nothing but contempt for his shown nothing but contempt for his political opponents. Seems it’s OK for Rob political opponents. Seems it’s OK for Rob Ford to throw his weight around when Ford to throw his weight around when he’s threatening people. Why should he he’s threatening people. Why should he deserve any sympathetic consideration? deserve any sympathetic consideration?

http://www.nowtoronto.com/mobile/story.cfm?c=186316

Not to mention failing to welcome a wonderful income opportunity for Toronto. Some “businessman” he’s turned out to be…

His decision not to attend the annual Pride parade on July 1 is a reminder of the worst aspects of his mayoralty: the stubbornness, the refusal to take in other perspectives, the failure to grow in the job and become mayor of all Torontonians instead of just the champion of his own base.

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/decision-to-skip-pride-reminds-toronto-of-mayor-fords-worst-traits/article2407065/

It’s easy to blame politics, but let’s be honest about exactly who started and actively perpetuated it all. Remember Ford’s inaugural “pinkos” speech (via Don Cherry, but you know the sentiment is the same)?

“What depresses me the most about right-wing politicians is their belief that they are right and that there doesn’t seem to be any opportunity for dialogue. It’s my way or the highway. I have found that deeply disappointing.

http://www.thestar.com/iphone/news/article/1161454–how-rob-ford-s-mayoralty-has-divided-the-people-of-toronto

That’s right, Toronto taxpayers, now it’s your fault that Ford is facing opposition at City Hall. All those shiftless lefties are the only ones taking initiative, showing exactly his disorganized and lazy they are (?)

“My advice to the taxpayer would be don’t send us any more activists, don’t send us any more unionists, don’t send us any more cyclists,” Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said. “Send us some people down here with good common sense who just want to manage the city’s affairs. That’s what’s needed.”

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-mayor-fords-drive-to-privatize-stalled-as-councillors-take-control/article2399108/

Half journalist, half activist, they spend hours monitoring meetings of city council and its committees. Their main vehicle is Twitter, the social-media tool that is changing journalism and politics with its 140-character-or-less bursts of commentary, argument and wit. They even live-tweet the Ford brothers’ weekly radio show, or #FoBroShow, with minute-by-minute, play-by-play commentary. No mayoral gaffe or mis-statement goes unchecked.

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/globe-to/city-hall-critics-of-a-feather-tweet-together/article2402106/