Douchebag of the Year

According to this City of Calgary news release, a 21-month old boy was left crying and freezing in the parking lot of a Calgary casino last night.

It was about -8 celcius at the time. The report states that the father was playing in the casino, and that the young boy was dressed lightly and not wearing shoes or socks.

I think that there should be an addition to the two categories of baby-making people. 1) People who should have kids and rock at it. 2) People who shouldn't have children, and 3) People like this who should be castrated and be a pincushion in prison for the REST OF THEIR F***ING LIVES!!

This makes me nauseous. This man deserves vigilante justice. Where's Mad Max when you need him.

Argh.

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That's my angry typing. :|

The 2008 Seal Hunt Begins... Bring on the loonies!

Today the annual debate regarding the seal hunt has opened up for another season. 100 Spaniards stripped nekkid and painted themselves like seal carcasses to protest the hunt.

I don't quite understand what all the fuss is about. Seals are kinda cute, this is true. But so are cows. And pigs. I understand PETA-type people objecting to the hunt: this is clearly their mandate.

But aren't people looking down on the seal-hunt while digesting last night's roast beef dinner?

Of course, people will argue that it is the manner in which the seals are slaughered, which is usually by striking the forehead with the traditional hakapik. This process has been sanctioned by various government and independent agencies as painless and humane.

Granted, this seems kinda gross. But anyone who has seen a cow or pig butchered will know that the process is far from gentle.

It takes some effort to stop a living being from living.

If you're a vegetarian, and wish to protest animal suffering, then great. Protest away. You have the right.

But if you're not, give your head a shake. Cute animals don't deserve life more than ugly animals.

CEO's and their Big Fat Cheques

"As your CEO and chairman, it is my duty to report that it's been a mixed year for your company. On one hand, the financial crisis has led to the largest annual loss in company history, a 50 per cent reduction in our workforce and a 92 per cent decline in our share price. On the other, my bonus cheque cleared."

-Scott Feschuk, "Here for the AGM", Macleans Magazine, Vol 122, No 9 (March 16, 2009)

Okay everybody, start sharpening your knives.

I don't believe that company leaders have gotten a good rap during this financial crisis. Why, simply because things are going bad, are we expecting them to sacrifice their bonuses on the altar of collective prosperity?

No, no: hear me out.

Why don't they deserve their rewards? These men and women are, for the most part, very deserving of the positions they are in. Most of them work harder than you. Most of them are smarter than you. They have sacrificed a lot for the work that they do, and now when they reach the top we're expecting them to forgo the fruits of their labor?

'Sorry Mr. Chairman, I know you've worked 38 years to get that corner office on the 63rd floor. But looks like our share price has taken a dive and you have to give up 40% of your salary. Please sign here.'

I believe strongly that everyone needs to re-address their situations in this financial environment, don't get me wrong. And I think that most executives would gladly scale back remuneration packages for the good of their companies.

But have the Unions? Have their suppliers? Has everyone done all they can to stop the bleeding, without looking at the big cheese.

A Unionized steel employee shows up for 2 3-hour shifts in a week, and gets paid for 5 8-hour shifts. A Unionized autoworker gets topped up unemployment insurance, and enjoys nearly 100% salary for staying at home watching Dr. Phil.

But Mr. CEO: get back into coach where you belong.

I don't buy it.