Rocket Talk: When's the TTC Going to Roll Out More Fare Collection Methods?
Newsstand: November 9, 2009
Zack Taylor in Disney Mama Drama
Santa's Weston Workshop
The Daily Photoist: November 9, 2009
Leaking barrels of toxic waste shut down traffic at Goodmark Place and Steinway Avenue earlier today.
Good morning, Toronto!
The winner of the Lower Don redesign was announced last night. And it's time to get started on the project, says a city council committee dedicated to creating more park space in Toronto. While Ottawa has 8 hectares of parkland per 1,000 residents, Toronto has only 3.24 (though Montreal only has a measly 1.2).
First incandescent bulbs, then low-flush toilets, now plastic bags: the provincial government wants to crack down on plastic grocery bags. You mean that plastic bag filled with hundreds of other plastic bags in my laundry room will stop growing? What if I need them for something someday?
In exciting archaeology news, the tomb of King Herod has been discovered.
In somewhat interesting internet news, MySpace is buying Photobucket.
In sweat-inducing "shit-why-did-I-get-a-degree-in-the-humanities" news, 1,200 full-time registered nursing positions are being added to the long-term care sector in Ontario. Nursing students look smug and give each other high fives.
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I'm so glad the government is taking action on grocery bags. But does anyone know how to go about recycling the old bags? I'm sure everyone has a drawer in their house stuffed full of plastic bags that they'd like to get rid of in an eco-friendly way. Any ideas?
Jenny: A lot of grocery stores take 'em back. I know that the Dominion in the Annex does.
I take mine to the local library.
How'd Herod's tomb get to Toronto? ;-)
As a former archaeology student, all major archaeology news gets posted in the Toronto news roundup. Because I said so.
Come on. It's, like, my only bias. That and CFL lights.
I think the Bulk Barn at Lakeshore and Leslie takes them back too.
Hey Karen, had no idea you wrote for Torontoist. Sweet!
Any news on WHY the cyclist was blocking the motorist? I mean, both this and the Kensington incident seem to be the result of some passive-aggressive behaviour on the cyclists part inspiring ridiculously violent behaviour on the motorists part. Their both idiots.
And what happened to the days when passers-by would step in and break this stuff up? Too dangerous in todays day and age I guess...
PS: HAHAHA Before Chester or Rek jumps on me, YES, I do know the difference between they're/their/there. I was distracted...
I already use canvas bags whenever possible, but even when I bring them to the store cashiers still want to use plastic bags. I have seen people put groceries in plastic bags inside their reusable bags. Double-bagging is also a huge problem. Cashiers need to be taught a bit more of environmental-consciousness.
On the other hand, I re-use grocery bags for garbage, and if they got rid of them I would need to buy garbage bags or "kitchen catchers", the waste would still be there.
Maria: True, but I think most people acquire grocery bags at a far greater rate than they need for garbage use.
You can always cut your grocery bags into long strips and knit with them...make strong sturdy grocery bags out of other grocery bags!
brokenengine - I might not have caught it had you not said anything, but even if I had I doubt I'd call you out for it. Chester would though, he's mean.
It's nice to see the provincial Libs doing things like this. I vote NDP, but hopefully people will remember this come election time and not default to the Cons.
I don't mind the their/they're gaffe half as much as the attempt to excuse a violent crime. I personally consider the term "passive aggressive" a psychobabble expression which serves, as in this case, to excuse an actual aggressor. However, even if you consider the term "passive aggressive" valid in some circumstances, it has no application here. The operator of any vehicle (including a bicycle) has the responsibility to operate safely. If anyone, motorist or cyclist, doubts they can get through an intersection on a yellow light, they have the right and the obligation to stop and wait for the next green. That means that anyone behind them has an unconditional obligation to accept any delay, and to do so courteously. Any attempt to diffuse blame here just encourages further incivility and violence on our roads, and slanders a completely innocent individual going about his business safely and legally.
So, sorry, brokenengine. Your attempt to excuse an ugly and squalid street crime simply won't wash, whether you correct your grammar or not. Nobody "provokes" an attack like this. Only one party here bears the responsibility for this attack. You may not like it, but the facts we have don't admit of much ambiguity.
Everybody needs to hit YouTube for the Monkey Dust segment called The Cyclists.
Pity you didn't mention the one in 'rage' was a POLICEMAN!!!!!!
Dude was big. He should have smacked that cop's face with a u-lock.
And, yeah... this idea that he was being "passive aggressive" is complete garbage. He is not required by law to move over at all. A bike is a vehicle, like it or not, and its operator should act as if they're driving a vehicle when on major streets.
That said, if the turn signal is on early enough and the driver is even somewhat considerate, I usually let them pass.
But it never ceases to amaze me that scumbags like this rotten cop and the lowlife in Kensington always seem to have their apologists, while cyclists get pushed around this city every day by dim-bulb drivers for taking up a very small portion of the road.
Thanks for the smog days, 905 expressway trash. Watch out for our arms when you blindly swing your doors at us...
Check out "Lords of the Chain Ring" on youtube for some good times.
The Beer Store also takes plastic bags, and not just their own. Last time I bought beer I brought in a whole armload.
Hey John,
Um, I wrote my reply before I saw anything on the fact that the cyclist had stopped at the yellow light? See that first sentence in my post? Yeah, thats called "A Question". It means I need more information. You might want to take that into account before you jump all over me.
Either way, it is rare to see the behaviour the cop exhibited with out some sort of provocation. Not saying this WAS provoked, I'm just saying that, without eye witness reports, it's easy to presume it would be.
But your over the top response to my post is telling. Cyclist apologist maybe? Hey, I like cycling, all for it. Good for the environment. I don't drive except in the rare occasion I need to leave the area code. Take public transit or walk.
However, I've gone on record here before: There are just as many asshole-cyclists per capita as there are drivers. The difference is, the drivers don't exhibit the righteous indignation the cyclists do when challenged on their actions. I, for one, am tired of people just assuming the cyclist is in the right and the driver in the wrong in these situations, and I will ALWAYS play devils advocate until all the facts come out, just to balance the scales.
Thanks for reading!