Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Final Thoughts: MLB Playoffs

There's really nothing left to say.

The Red Sox had a great regular-season. They were consistent and led the AL East with a few minor bumps along the way. They were stronger then the Rockies. No question about it. I am especially happy for Canadian Eric Gagne, as well as former Blue Jays Eric Hinske, Bobby Keilty, Royce Clayton (Yes, even Royce), and Mike Timlin.

Out of the seven playoff match-ups, I was correct on four of them. Total: 57%

On to more important matters....

LET'S GO RAPTORS!

The Hek

*Always a World Series winner: Episode 59 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, October 29, 2007

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

MLB Playoff Predictions - World Series

In the second round, I was right on one of the two match-ups. The one series I got right was not a perfect prediction.

On to the....

WORLD SERIES

Boston over Colorado in six games.

The Rockies have been on an amazing run. However, they have not played since last Monday. A long layoff like that kills momentum. Just look at what happened to the 2006 Tigers; and if you follow hockey, look at the 2004 Flames, the 2006 Oilers, and the 2007 Sens. All these teams advanced to the final after easily winning their semi-final matches. They had at least a week off before they played again. Meanwhile, their opponents took longer to get to the finals and had little rest. In the end, it was the opponents who came out on top.

The Red Sox last played on Sunday and are fresher then the Rockies. Boston will take advantage of this and by the time Colorado wins a game, it will be too late.

The Hek

*Catch Episode 58 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, October 22, 2007

Underground Sound

Episode 58 of the Audio Circus is now available.

This week: Sounds of the Subway; Music by Sex For Moderns.

To download, subscribe, or for more information, visit the show's website.

The Hek

Friday, October 19, 2007

Fellatrix?

Wow...

This is a very direct, professional, mature, and informative definition.

More information then you need to know?

The Hek

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Jovi Punched!

I don't know why, but this is really funny.

Then again, I do have a twisted sense of humor.



The Hek

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Rocktober

I don't know what the Colorado Rockies are on; but I want some!!!!!!




Congrats to the NL champs. Damn, I wish I didn't pick Arizona.

The Hek


*Catch Episode 57 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, October 15, 2007

Multiple Lovers

Episode 57 of the Audio Circus has been released!

This week's show features music by the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra.

To download, subscribe, or for more information, visit the show's website.

The Hek

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Polkaroo & Jodie Run In Provincial Election

Here are two interesting post-election tidbits:

1. The Libertarian candidate for the riding of Toronto-Danforth was Mike Scott. You might think I'm referring to the Mike Scott who pitched for the Houston Astros in the 1980's; but I assure you, this is a different Mike Scott. This Mike Scott happens to be the man who wore the Polkaroo costume on TVO's Polka Dot Door. Don't believe me? Just read this article.

I had to see this with my own eyes, but when I got to the Libertarian office, I was told Mike Scott had left. Aw, I missed him again.


2. In the riding of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, the Liberal candidate was Nerene Virgin, who played Jodie on Today's Special. It's unknown if Ms. Virgin had a mannequin who would come alive at night and dance around the campaign office.



You never know who might run in an election.

The Hek

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

15 Seconds?!

Wow......Global Television in Ontario just shot their load.

15 seconds after the polls closed, Global projected a Liberal Majority.

They're basing this on exit polls.

Meanwhile, everyone else is waiting for the real results come in before they make any statements.

Why do some news agencies feel it's better to be first then being accurate?

Just a thought.

The Hek

MLB Playoff Predictions - League Championship Series

In round one, I was right on two of the four match-ups. Out of the two, none were perfect predictions.

The four teams that have advanced won the first game and got on great rolls. When the division series is best three out of five games, there is no breathing room. You need to win first and quickly.

On to the next round:

American League Championship Series

Boston over Cleveland in six

National League Championship Series

Arizona over Colorado in six

The Hek

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Monday, October 08, 2007

Why I’m voting AGAINST the MMP system

On Oct. 10, the people of Ontario will choose whether to keep its current electoral system – the First Past The Post system – or choose a new system recommended by the Citizens Assembly – the Mixed Member Proportional system. Like many of you, I have received the little pamphlet from Elections Ontario, which explains how the two systems work. After reading the information carefully, I have come to the conclusion that the MMP system is a bad idea.

There are a number of reasons why voters should choose the existing system over the proposed MMP system. Here are mine in no particular order.

- With MMP, the number of seats in Queen’s Park will increase. Currently, there are 107 seats. With the MMP system, there would be 129 seats. Our tax dollars pay the salaries of the 107 Provincial Parliament Members (MPPs). If the MMP system goes into effect, our taxes will increase in order to cover the salaries of the additional 22 MPPs. More people in the Provincial legislature means more agendas and more gridlock. Bills will take longer to pass. The process of government will be slowed down. It’s a simple matter of having more pigs at a trough (No, I am not calling politicians pigs. I’m using the term as a figure of speech). There is already not enough resources for everyone and with more people, there will be even less. Do we really want our tax dollars to pay more salaries and then watch as the Government process gets even slower? I sure don’t.

- With MMP, the number of ridings in Ontario will decrease. Currently, there are 107 ridings. With the MMP system, there would only be 90. It’s already hard enough to establish a connection with your local member. The MMP system would ask us to vote for someone who might not even be from the surrounding area and won’t have a grasp on how things operate, but is representing us because of amalgamation. Merging certain ridings will only increase the population. It’s already hard enough trying to contact your local member when you have an estimated 200 interest groups and people trying to also get his or her attention. Try getting his or her attention when the riding is merged with another riding and having to compete with an estimated 400 interest groups and people.

- With MMP, there would be 90 local members and 39 list members. The list members are awarded seats in the legislature based on the “popular vote” (MMP allows you to vote twice; once for a local member candidate and once for a party). For example, if the Liberals received 46% of the popular vote, they would get about 17-18 seats out of the 39 available seats. Voting for a candidate and a party does seem nice and does give the impression of having a fair result. However, it’s a back-handed approach. In fact, being a list member in the provincial legislature would be a back-door approach. To be a local member, you would have to knock on doors, attend many events and festivals, shake lots of hands, debate with your fellow candidates, and spend a lot on signs and pamphlets. To be a list member, all you would have to do is be friends with lots of important figures, have a generous cheque book, give your opinion once in a while, and (possibly) be an expert in ass-kissing and brown-nosing. You wouldn’t even have to deal with constituents. If I was a local member, I would be pissed if I had to do all this hard work just to be elected and get a seat in the legislature, while the person next to me is a list member, and all he had to do to get a seat in the legislature was donate to the party and help the leader move some furniture. I realize that’s hypothetical, but not matter how you look at it, it’s still unfair.

- Sure, the MMP’s party vote allows fringe parties the chance to have a spot at Queen’s Park. Sure, it gives the impression that there might be a fairer result. However, voters would not choose the list members! The MMP system would allow us to choose how the 39 list member seats are divided up, but it doesn’t allow us to decide who gets to sit in those seats. List members are chosen only by the party. That’s not fair! We live in a democracy. Therefore, it is our right to choose who represents us and who runs our government. It should be that way with every political system in Canada *cough* Federally Elected Senate *cough*. This concept of list members is very similar to the Upper Canada Family Compact. Remember the Family Compact? It was a group of wealthy elites that chose from a group of other wealthy elites who would run the colony, completely ignoring the opinions of the majority of the colony’s population. It led to the 1837 rebellion. With the MMP system, list members would be a modern version of the Family Compact: elites choosing other elites, while ignoring the opinions of the people of Ontario.

- Yes, the MMP system gives the Green Party the chance of having representation in the legislature. I understand that. I would like to see the Green Party have an official voice. However, it would be wrong for the Greens to get seats through a back-door approach. If the Green Party wants to have a seat at Queen’s Park, they have to earn it. In order to earn it, they have to go out to every single riding with a candidate, meet people, shake hands, preach their policies, and be elected. The people should choose whether or not a Green Party candidate gets a seat in the legislature. Choosing the party but not getting to express which candidate represents the party is wrong.

- Popularity is a measurement that should have no value. It is also very subjective. What could be popular to me is unpopular to someone else. The Liberals might only be popular with a particular group. The Conservatives might only be popular with a different group. Just because something is popular does not necessarily mean it’s the right thing to choose. Pierre Trudeau was a popular Prime Minister, but it does not mean he was the best Prime Minister. Leonard Cohen is one of the best songwriters of all time, but it does not mean he’s one of the most popular songwriters. Brittany Spears is one of the most popular singers of all time, but it does not mean she’s the best singer. By having voters decide on a party - essentially deciding the most popular political party - the MMP system will lead to subjective results. It could also lead to the possibility of a party winning the most ridings, but losing an election because another party won fewer ridings but received more “party/popular votes.” That’s not fair. Something as subjective as popularity should not be considered when deciding something as important as the next Government. This is why we need to keep the existing First Past The Post system because it is objective. It spells everything out in black and white. The candidate with the most votes wins the riding. The party with the most ridings forms the Government.

- Numerous times I hear, “I like this candidate, but I don’t like the party he/she represents.” Hey, that happens. Sometimes, you have to choose a necessary evil. It would be unfair to penalize a strong candidate just because you do not like the candidate’s party. It is also unfair to vote for a candidate and then vote for a different party that goes against everything the candidate stands for. I hate to use clichés, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

I will be voting for our existing system. I admit, the First Past The Post system is not perfect. However, it is more stable then the MMP system. The MMP system will only lead to greater imperfections and a dangerous amount of subjectivity.

For more information on the Referendum, visit www.yourbigdecision.ca

On Oct. 10, please go out and vote.

The Hek

*Be sure to catch Episode 56 of the Audio Circus. This week's episode features sounds from Nuit Blanche*

Friday, October 05, 2007

All For One!

Having witnessed my first ever Toronto FC match from the stands of BMO Field yesterday (TFC defeated New York 2-1), I have come to the following conclusions:

1. Soccer fans are not like the fans who watch sports at the Rogers Centre and the Air Canada Centre. Soccer fans are a different breed.

2. Danny Dichio's tears cure cancer.

The Hek

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

MLB Playoff Predictions - Division Championship Series

American League

LA Angels over Boston in 4
Cleveland over NY Yankees in 5

National League

Arizona over Chicago in 5
Philadelphia over Colorado in 5

If the Angels and Diamondbacks get on solid rolls, look out.

The Hek

*Grand Slam: Episode 55 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, October 01, 2007

Baseball Roundup

Let's play ball! Episode 55 of the Audio Circus is now available.

This week, I review the Blue Jays' 2007 season.

To download, subscribe, or for more information, visit the show's website.

Next week: Sounds from Nuit Blanche

The Hek