The world continues to exist and in it surprising news continues to happen. Unfortunately, in this case, surprising means utterly predictable.
Things you liked are being cut from the 2012 Toronto city budget
Rising community centre fees are almost expected whenever a mayor tries to lower spending, and really, it’s not all that big a deal. A couple extra dollars on services won’t cripple most people. However, I am concerned about the cuts to HIV and drug prevention programs. HIV isn’t as big an issue as it used to be, at least in developed nations like say Canada, but it’s still a pain in the ass for all involved. Especially since HIV drugs cost a small fortune, even in the Great White North. Prevention programs hopefully would stop a small population from contracting the virus and therefore stopping them from needing the drugs.
Of course, the biggest thing to watch is the TTC cuts. Those new sparkling buses are a bye-bye, as are several service routes and times. A report came out a couple months ago on whether is more efficient for anyone in Toronto to use transit over a car. The report said it’s about even, if not worse, to use transit. These cuts will make further degrade the service. One saving grace though! It’ll still be better than Mississauga Transit.
Iran is still being cruel and unreasonable
It’s the little things like Iran convicting an average US civilian (well, who knows) to death for working for the CIA that keep me from visiting. And I’m Iranian! I have the passport and citizenship to prove it. I just also happen to be a citizen of Britain, Brazil and Canada. Yet, Iran doesn’t recognize dual-citizenship, so upon a visit, they can do anything they want to me. I am remarkably terrified of admitting that my major is journalism. Journalism plus multiple-citizenship generally means you’re a spy to them.
“The court convicted him of working with a hostile country” Not a unique policy, but when almost every country this side of the prime meridian is hostile a lot of people can be convicted.
The live action Akira movie has yet to be shaken to death in its infancy
While many assumed that the live action adaptation of this classic anime film was finally killed in its crib last week, Variety was kind enough to point out that budget cuts don’t always kill projects. Warner wants to lower the budget from 90 million, because they are suddenly aware this movie is going to make no money. Variety reminds us, like herpes reminds us of a one night stand, that movies can stay in pre-production for up to a decade and still come out.
Seriously, this film appeals to no one. The premise has been torn up so bad they are insulting the fans of the original, while failing to attract any kind of new audience. Does anyone really want to see Kristen Stewart and Garrett Hedlund on screen together. I liked Hedlund in Tron Legecy because he somehow managed to replicate the emotions of snarky, sad and thoughtful, when really, he only needed snarky and sad. I don’t need him to be a bartender who doesn’t ride a glowing motorcycle.
Vladimir Putin is going to tackle Stephen Harper to Death
This is an actual surprise. Stephen Harper wants to beat Vladimir Putin at hockey, replicating the ‘72 summit games between Canada and Russia. Harper either has balls of steel or has not been reading the news recently. This is a full contact sport between the cyborg who was revealed to be human because he can play the Beatles on the piano, versus the president who unintentionally trained to be Batman.
This diplomacy stunt is meant to recoup relations after several failed attempts to negotiate over the Arctic. However, it’s just going to result in some bruised egos, regardless of how it plays out. Both Harper and Putin believe they are gods in their domain (except Putin happens to box and fight sharks fairly regularly). Neither of them is going to take a loss very well. The Star ran with the sub-heading “Does the winner get the Arctic?” and in that same spirit I would like to propose a different bet. Forget the Arctic, you want high stakes? How about which ever country loses, their elected leader has to step down, along with their cabinet. Now that is a hockey game the whole world would watch. I know whose side I’m on.
