“They didn’t lay a glove on Harper,” says LeDrew

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CP24’s Stephen LeDrew

Stephen Harper came under fierce and repeated questioning by NDP leader Thomas Mulcair Thursday and just as fiercely rebuffed accusations linking him to the Senate expenses scandal. Harper stood and forcefully answered multiple questions. Whether he convinced everyone watching will remain an open matter perhaps. CP24 pundit Stephen LeDrew concluded that the combined opposition “didn’t lay a glove on the prime minister.” Mr. Mulcair had many questions that suggested some type of dishonesty. They constructed apparent contradictions between what is alleged to have been said at different times. It was not especially easy to follow. Mr. Mulcair wanted to know how many people knew about the plan for Nigel Wright, the PM’s assistant, to give Senator Duffy the $90,000 to repay the expenses. Interesting perhaps, but another pundit, Geoffrey Simpson of the Globe and Mail, seems to feel that Harper has what might be called deniability when he says he did not know Mr. Wright planned this course of action. Time will tell but it is clear that Harper is “fixing to fight” if Duffy and others continue to accuse him of somehow being dishonest. Liberal leader Trudeau was not in the Commons because of a speaking engagement in Washington.

Not Halloween at Trace Manes field house

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The Trace Manes Centennial Recreation Centre is definitely not dressed up for Halloween this year and Ray, the scary looking worker in the hazmat outfit is for real, not a trickster. Ray and his buddies will however have a real treat for users of this handy Leaside field house when they’re finished on or near Monday, November 25, 2013. And here’s the really good news. As the South Bayview Bulldog pleaded earlier this Fall, the centre will have all new washroom facilities when the work is done. Ray is dressed as he is because he and fellow workers are blasting paint off the concrete floor. When that’s done, the floors will be fitted with nice new tiling. It will be the first time in the nearly 47 year history of the centre that users will walk on tiles and not concrete. Ceiling tiles and windows will be replaced as well.  Looking forward to it. 

Loblaws to make compensation to B’desh victims

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Loblaws will provide long-term, direct financial compensation for the victims and their families who were working at the New Wave Style factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh when it collapsed six month ago killing some 1,129 people. The grocery giant has announced this decision today. The plant manufactured clothing sold at Loblaws Joe Fresh fashion stores. 

Careless “Mary Cartwright” haunts Belsize Dr.

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From the home at 384 Belsize Drive that brought us Creepy Peter Pencil Eater we have another Halloween lawn decoration morality tale. Last year, we were all warned not to chew our pencils or we would end like Creepy Peter, dead of lead poisoning. Actually, the story was more elegantly told than that. See it here. This year, we have the frightening tale of Mary Cartwright. Who is she? Ask not for whom the bell tolls, friend. She could be you. Brrr. An otherwise lovely person right here on Belsize Drive who misjudged in the most fatal way how to deal with her fatigue. Read on below. Or visit 384 Belsize where this story, posted like a medieval warning to wicked doers, may set you back on the right track.   

On October 31, 1951, stylish Mary Cartwright stepped out to take “the baby” for a stroll.  A wicked storm was brewing, but Mary paid it no mind, as she barely noticed anything anymore having become bored with her housewife life…but fate had already played it’s card …as Mary opened her mouth wide to let out an exhaustive YAWN, a blackbird darted straight to the back of mouth piercing her pharynx…killing her instantly.  Every October 31, if you listen carefully, you can hear the muffled scream of Mary Cartwright and the squeaking of the pram wheels as it rolls down Belsize Drive and stops at Bayview Avenue…and to think all this could have been avoided if she had simply covered her mouth when she yawned. 

Eglinton BIA issues warning about two thieves

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The Eglinton Way BIA has warned retailers that two young men are working the area with theft in mind. The warning says they distract staff with the intention of stealing phones or other items left near or even behind counters. This type of theft is not new but these two men, said to be South Asian, may be working the entire midtown district.  Retailers on all streets should be alert. 

F’Book rescinds decision to permit beheadings

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As outrage hammers its oh-so-savvy owners, Facebook now says it is rescinding its decision to permit video obscenities like beheadings. Ya think? CBC

BBC account of christening at Chapel Royal

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The three-month-old third-in-line to the throne was christened today in a ceremony in London. BBC report to the right is very good.

Mike Duffy is no victim Harper tells the Commons

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Harper comes out swinging

“They were out to get me,” Wallin tells Senate

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Pamela Wallin said she is the victims of a vendetta by Marjory LeBreton, until recently the leader of the government in the Senate, and Carolyn Stewart Olsen, Mr. Harper’s former press secretary. The former broadcaster said the two women Senators targeted her because she was outspoken in caucus and occasionally critical of the government. “They resented me because I was an activist senator,”  Ms. Wallin told the Senate. CANOE

Pope suspends high-living Bishop of Bling

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Pope Francis has ordered Germany’s Bishop of Limburg to leave his diocese over his £26 million luxury home. Report by Jeremy Barnes.  CBC

Libs likely to take Toronto Centre byelection

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A poll by Global News suggests the outcome of the November 25, 2013 byelection in Toronto Centre will return the riding to the Liberal party. Voters in the north end of  this odd polyglot constituency must wonder to hear the furious debate about the impact of Marxism on the status of Torontonians today. Both the Liberal and NDP candidates think there are points to be made with this early 20th Century notion, and maybe they are right in Cabbagetown. (No offense to anyone in Cabbagetown). National Post. Typically, voters in Moore Park and parts of Rosedale see their  ballots swamped when the results come in from south of Bloor. In fairness, the long-time member for this riding, Bob Rae, was a popular figure everywhere. And so it seems his legacy will assist Chrystia Freeland, the Liberal candidate. The Global poll, done by Forum Research, shows Ms Freeland with 45 percent of the support. Linda McQuaig, the NDP’s choice, had 30 percent support. The Conservatives and Greens had 18 and seven percent respectively. It may be that this poll was done before the Conservative candidate Geoff Pollock, a Danforth Ave lawyer, was even nominated. But it doesn’t matter, it seems. At a federal level the Conservatives show almost no interest in Toronto Centre. They seem to have written it off, as they have done in the past. Many newspaper stories about the riding don’t even mention Mr. Pollock. It is unseemly indifference on the part of the government party. 

Bank drops rate-hike talk due to weak growth

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Reuters