Andrew Spicer's Weblog: Humourless since 2002 http://www.andrewspicer.com/ Tue, 13 Apr 2006 17:25:00 +0600 I have been posting occasionally to my main blog, but too lazy to update this RSS feed by hand. I usually get around to posting a notice about new blog posts over on my other blog. So, if you sign up to that newsfeed you should eventually know about any new posts. The link below should take you there. http://andrewspicer2.blogspot.com/ http://andrewspicer2.blogspot.com/ Wed, 11 Oct 2006 10:24:00 +0600 Looking around some old files in the house, my Dad found this article from World War I. I wanted to post it to see if anyone familiar with military records could help us with information on the people mentioned. But as I read it, I realized it is actually a very interesting article with some Canadian naval history pertinent to the west coast, and a general glimpse of life in the navy during that period. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article739.html Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:44:00 +0600 I know what you've all been thinking. Where is Andrew Spicer? If he's too busy to write long articles about the Toronto municipal budget process, why can't he at least post short, poorly thought-out, unedited, HTML-less comments while he's reading the morning news? Well, now your wish has come true. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article726.html Wed, 14 Jun 2006 08:56:00 +0600 For those of you wondering about the lack of blog posting around here, things just aren't working out. I do have a Plan B in mind, but need a bit of help finding the right tools. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article725.html Wed, 07 Jun 2006 14:56:00 +0600 Maybe I spoke too soon when I declared that the latest federal budget shows Stephen Harper is Mr. Not-So-Scary. After all, National Post columnist Adam Radwanski is frightened. He says so on his blog today. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article724.html Fri, 05 May 2006 12:43:00 +0600 Stats show it is more dangerous to walk than drive in Toronto. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article723.html Thu, 04 May 2006 13:05:00 +0600 Contrary to many predictions and claims made before the election, Stephen Harper's budget doesn't seem very scary. Two main areas where doomsayers focused were the fiscal imbalance and urban affairs. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article722.html Wed, 03 May 2006 18:02:00 +0600 The dollar is breaking through the 90-cent mark today. With a new budget coming down, I hope Harper and Flaherty don't lose sight of the reasons. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article721.html Tue, 02 May 2006 12:02:00 +0600 Looks like Stephen Harper tried to work out a deal with the NDP to support his government. In the end they didn't need to offer the NDP enough to say yes, and the NDP didn't need to say yes to what was being offered. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article720.html Tue, 02 May 2006 11:01:00 +0600 Last night, the City Idol contest began in Toronto, aimed at improving municipal politics and reducing apathy. It was creative and entertaining. Will it work? http://www.andrewspicer.com/article719.html Sat, 29 Apr 2006 09:16:00 +0600 Jane Jacobs passed away today. She has been a great inspiration for how we think about many important issues. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article718.html Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:34:00 +0600 Dalton McGuinty today said that nuclear expansion is Ontario's only energy solution. However, conservation hasn't even been tried yet. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article717.html Wed, 19 Apr 2006 16:02:00 +0600 The problem is that the public officials responsible for selling advertising rights do so under skewed conditions. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article716.html Tue, 18 Apr 2006 16:42:00 +0600 Politics drives poor transit planning decisions. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article715.html Mon, 17 Apr 2006 08:32:00 +0600 Finally, some quick hits on a variety of the usual topics http://www.andrewspicer.com/article714.html Tue, 13 Apr 2006 17:25:00 +0600 My seven week blog hiatus is over, but things won't be the same. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article713.html Mon, 03 Apr 2006 12:25:00 +0600 For a lot of good reasons, it's time for me to take a break. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article712.html Sun, 12 Feb 2006 11:00:00 +0600 The Emerson story is going to get even bigger now that Garth Turner has told all about the discipline session that he faced yesterday. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article711.html Fri, 10 Feb 2006 09:01:00 +0600 The Medevac Air Ambulance argument in favour of the Toronto Island Airport seems to be a red herring. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article710.html Thu, 09 Feb 2006 20:57:00 +0600 Would the Toronto Island Airport be viable without stealth subsidies and without usurious government rents at Pearson? http://www.andrewspicer.com/article709.html Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:28:00 +0600 Response to the argument that the Toronto Island Airport expansion should be supported because it will create jobs for Bombardier workers in Toronto. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article708.html Wed, 08 Feb 2006 17:24:00 +0600 Michael Fortier says he will resign from his Senate appointment and run in the next election for a seat in the House. But you never know. Meanwhile, at 44, he is the youngest Senator and has technically been appointed to a 31-year term. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article707.html Wed, 08 Feb 2006 09:19:00 +0600 As bold and as bad as Belinda's defection was, David Emerson's has to be seen as at least a little bit worse. He can't even pretend to offer a credible explanation for why he ran in the January 23 election as a Liberal and was sworn in as a Conservative cabinet member on February 6. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article706.html Tue, 07 Feb 2006 10:43:00 +0600 Windsor had a good time as unofficial co-hosts of the Super Bowl. Now they want a CFL team. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article705.html Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:15:00 +0600 My comments aren't visible from my office, but seem to work for everyone else. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article704.html Mon, 06 Feb 2006 11:15:00 +0600 Canada may have as many as 12 elected senators within two years, representing 7 provinces. How will we get senate reform after that? http://www.andrewspicer.com/article703.html Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:55:00 +0600 Toronto has seen a 33% decline in Toronto tourism among Americans in the last five years. The cause might not just be on our end. Competitive destinations have reduced their flaws. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article702.html Fri, 03 Feb 2006 00:40:00 +0600 Several comments on the latest Toronto Island Airport expansion scheme. Will Harper stop this Liberal mess? http://www.andrewspicer.com/article701.html Thu, 02 Feb 2006 17:44:00 +0600 The government of British Columbia has unveiled a $3-billion bridge and highway building plan, that would seem to be aimed at opening eastern Greater Vancouver up for growth and car-oriented sprawl. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article700.html Wed, 01 Feb 2006 12:06:00 +0600 There is a huge hole in the Toronto city budget. It won't be resolved until Queen's Park uploads the social service costs that were downloaded onto municipalities in the late 1990s. Not a high priority for McGuinty. A campaign has started for Ontario to fix this problem with the money they receive from Stephen Harper's fiscal imbalance reversal. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article699.html Tue, 31 Jan 2006 18:06:00 +0600 The two biggest names have now declined to run for Liberal leader. This could be good for the party, but it will take the public a bit longer to get to know a less-well-known individual. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article698.html Mon, 30 Jan 2006 17:39:00 +0600 Stephane Dion has blogger fans rooting for him to be the next Liberal leader. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article697.html Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:10:00 +0600 Suggested strategies for each party in light of yesterday's election results. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article696.html Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:00:00 +0600 Just some post-election comments, observations and trivia. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article695.html Tue, 24 Jan 2006 16:45:00 +0600 A list of Canada's 21 Prime Ministers, listed by the number of days they've served. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article694.html Mon, 23 Jan 2006 15:25:00 +0600 A compilation of many election predictions. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article693.html Mon, 23 Jan 2006 14:30:00 +0600 A nearly complete review of the parties' platforms, with my comments and endorsement. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article692.html Sat, 21 Jan 2006 23:45:00 +0600 My prediction for Monday's election results. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article691.html Fri, 20 Jan 2006 17:45:00 +0600 Toronto City Councillor Joe Mihevc is being partisan and unfair when he claims the Conservatives' transit tax deduction "isn't a net benefit to riders". http://www.andrewspicer.com/article690.html Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:30:00 +0600 On the set of issues that have been tied in with the "New Deal for Cities", Harper's position of maintaining Martin commitments would seem to render him, well, not so scary to me. On the other hand, if I were to give credit to one party on the basis of what they have managed to accomplish for my city under the "New Deal" banner, it would have to be the NDP. http://www.andrewspicer.com/article689.html Thu, 19 Jan 2006 23:40:00 +0600