The South Bayview Bulldog

Mercy, mercy

Readers may wish to know that the group behind the chicken house expose aired on W5 this week is dedicated to Veganism. As such, it is entirely opposed to the eating of eggs regardless of how they are produced. This fact was overlooked by the CTV documentary that aired on W5.  In this day of pretentious “full dislcosure” it seems like an odd thing to miss. The video showed chickens in conditions which a variety of agricultural authorities have said are not acceptable. Monday morning, based on information from the U.S.-based Mercy for Animals, the Globe and Mail ran a story suggesting that the Alberta farms in question supplied eggs to McDonalds. McDonalds has categorically denied this. The difficulty for ordinary consumers who would hope for humane conditions on farms is that the motivation of organizations like the melodramatically-named Mercy for Animals seems to extend well beyond animal care. It is reasonable to think, based on their beliefs and conduct, that they are in favor of the consumption of no eggs, no milk, no cheese and most certainly no meat of any kind. It is a view held by a minuscule percentage of the population and is a very poor starting point for independent journalism.

Rick Rayman

Thousands of runners surged through Toronto’s streets Sunday achieving countless personal records. Beside these “personal best” stories were athletic luminaries like Dereessa Chimsa, 26, of Ethiopia, fastest runner in the marathon. Others, like Lanni Marchant of London, Ont., and Krista DuChene of Brantford, broke a 28-year-old record at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (CBC).  But the most remarkable local story belongs to 67-year-old dentist Rick Rayman. For almost 35 years Dr. Rayman pursued his daily running habit without missing a day. (North York Mirror)  His running lifestyle began on Dec. 10, 1978 and the York Mills Road and Bayview Avenue man has never wavered in his commitment. When he started, Dr. Rayman was looking for a way to maintain his fitness after his children were born. He started running two to three miles a day, eventually increasing to five. In June 1978, he entered his first 20-kilometre race near the Toronto Zoo. Two months later, he entered his first marathon, and kept on going. Today, the admirable Dr Rayman, as pictured in this great thundering image from his own album, took part once again in the Scotiabank run. “It’s my 300th (marathon) and such a good event,” Rayman told Fannie Sunshine of the North York Mirror.  “It’s a special day for me. It’s a phenomenal marathon, my second favourite, New York being the first.”