The Bulldog

Gone Girl rates high as a tight movie mystery tale

The film Gone Girl is getting widely-positive reviews and that is not always the case when the movie is based on a  popular novel. But the “global bestseller” by Gillian Flynn apparently lives up to the expectations of the many who have scrutinized its layered plot. It is a disappearance mystery where a husband, — in a very believable way given life’s evidence — is suspected of killing his wife. It is said that the plot provides enough new wrinkles to keep those who have read the novel interested right to the end. Anyway, you know whether you have read it and whether it’s worth a trip to the theatre this weekend. The film was released yesterday. 

Matthew Fisher: Fighting ISIS is a “no-brainer”

You may or may not agree with writer Matthew Fisher.  It does seem however that whatever is done about ISIS, there is no profit for our way of life in trying to be nice to them. They live to kill us. Plenty of evidence of that.  Rick Salutin in the Globe and Mail wrote a column about not fighting them but then he didn’t have any other strategy either. Humanitarian worker beheaded

Doctors check man for Ebola but doubt he has it

Doctors at Toronto General Hospital are taking no chances with a patient who has shown symptoms which are similar to Ebola. He is in isolation and the medics say they should have something firm by later Friday (September 3, 2014). They point out that the man was a visitor to Nigeria where there is very little Ebola, and that he appears to have passed through the incubation before showing his present symptoms. They think his symptoms are related to other causes. He has shown a fever and with the history of travel to West Africa was placed in isolation.

“Portrait” so good this guy should pay for it

Toronto Police have released what surely has to be the closest thing to a portrait picture of  a man wanted for a bank robbery August 28, 2014. Photo technology just gets better at catching people coming and going from banks and elsewhere. This man is said to have waked into a CIBC on Islington Ave. and demanded money by way of a crumpled note. He was given some money and left the bank, walking westbound on Rathburn Road.   No weapon was seen. He is described as 5’9″ to 5’11”, 190 to 200 lbs., heavy build, moustache, and has facial hair. He was wearing a black pullover hoodie and black baggy pants. All we can say is this picture is so good they ought to make the guy pay for it. 

Do you love these new hockey stamps or what?

Canada Post has released six new stamps featuring Canadian hockey heroes. They are (from top left) Bobby Orr (Parry Sound), Harry Howell (of Hamilton) Doug Harvey (Montreal), Cochrane Ontario’s Tim Horton, Leonard Patrick (Red) Kelly (of Simcoe) and Pierre Pilote. Polite was born in Kenogami Quebec but grew up in Fort Erie.  The stamps were unveiled at the Hockey Hall of Fame yesterday (Thursday, October 2, 12014). The stamps commemorate not just the players but the “original six” teams which formed the NHL. They were again from top left Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks.  

Olivia song more like a chant, long on hard luck

Call us hard-hearted if you like but the Olivia Song, released today, while catchy and amusing is neither very memorable nor convincing as a reason to vote for this nice lady. See if it changes your vote. Next below is a YouTube video extolling Rob Ford. It comes off a little like a eulogy. We don’t wish that on Mr. Ford. It too is unconvincing as a reason to vote for his brother although it hits on the core aspect of their appeal, money politics. Just to dream on, there is no doubt Rob Ford would have been re-elected with an enormous majority if had not displayed such terrible behaviour.


53 Division event wrestles with bikes on sidewalk

A Toronto Police Service community safety meeting at North Toronto Collegiate Institute touched on subjects ranging from online dating to bicycles on the sidewalk. The meeting, organized by officers from 53 Division, was called Lane Changes. Some officers conceded to members of the mostly-seniors audience that frequently cyclists seem to ride with a disregard for everyone’s safety on both the road and the sidewalk.  There was a sense of entitlement. Police insisted however that responsible cycling clubs support safe riding habits. The subject opened a split among those present over the apparently unsolvable issue of just where it is safe to ride a bike. One woman cyclist said she would be dead if she did not ride on the sidewalk, something that is not legal in Toronto. Members of the audience challenged her, saying bicycles on the sidewalk were a threat to the lives of both young and old. She could not know where the pedestrians were going to walk, especially when approaching from behind. It was agreed there were a number of complaints about this matter from people on Bayview Ave. Staff Sergeant Mathew Moyer spoke on personal safety subjects. An unexpected line of discussion dealt with staying safe when one dates online. He suggested a woman might like to arrange to meet a blind date at a location other than her home. “Make people earn your trust,” he said. Staff Sgt Moyer also advised both men and women to be careful getting off the subway later in the evening. Her mentioned what he called the buddy system — staying in proximity to another pedestrian as far possible, even if you don’t know him. The division’s commander, Superintendent Scott Gilbert, spoke about car theft and break-ins. He reviewed the stolen car arrests of August and noted that the yellow Porsche stolen here (and known as Yellowbird to police) was found in Romania. Later he was asked whether there are any leads in the theft of six Toyota Highlanders from Leaside driveways in 2009. He did not know of the case but said it is possible those responsible are in custody for other crimes. Inspector Suzanne Walsh, second in command at 53 Division headquarters on Eglinton Ave. W. said that some troublesome intersections with traffic lights in the division were Overlea Blvd and Thorncliffe Park Drive (they actually meet twice) and Yonge St and Eglinton Ave. The meeting was attended by about 125 people. 

Breathtaking Pan Am promo released on YouTube

The Ontario Government has released a very compelling video showing Pan Am/Parapan Am athletes at locations across the Golden Horseshoe. The games will be played in many centres and as you watch this action-packed promotion you will catch glimpses of locales as varied as Bloor Street and the craggy face of the Niagara Escarpment at Rattle Snake Point north of Hamilton.