Federal Budget 2012

RIDGE MEADOWS DISH

March 29, 2012

Budget day in Canada means citizens will be tightening their belts, screaming about the cuts and at the end of it all the Tories have a majority. A majority that translates to an inability for the 'Official Opposition' to contest any of the cuts or quash the government as in previous years, prior to the Harper majority win.

So what are the biggies in the budget:

1. The Canadian Mint is stopping the production of the blessed 'penny'. Prices will be rounded up to the nearest nickle. (great nice little cash grab softly served)
2. Spending cuts of $5.6 billion
3. $1.1 cut to Defense (wow stupid move there guys)
4. Spending for investment and spur job growth (Research and development gaining the most)
5. Resource projects will have a more streamlined process 
6. E.I. program changes
7. $5.2 billion to build up the battered Coast Guard (over eleven years)
8. Cross border shopping limits are increased to double the current levels ($800 for 48 hrs duty free)
9. 19200 Civil Servants are facing the ax (some to attrition so they say)
10. Old aged pension is jumping to 67 years old instead of the current 65. 2013 will see the start of an 'automatic' enrollment for seniors into the pension program. 
11. No new prisons are going to be built (cannot see this as being a good thing as current prisons are stressed to the max now)
12. $50 million over 2 years for the youth employment system 
13. Public safety is facing a cut of $680 million (excellent news for criminals)

The changes to the immigrant work force (adjusting the restrictions to enable more immigrants the opportunity to take Canadian jobs) can be treated as positive for the millions of immigrants struggling to utilize their education and skills in the Canadian work field.

Nothing in this budget is pleasant to the regular citizen to hear. It is about big business and the continual crush of the middle class.

National Museum of the USAF - 2012 Doolittle Raiders Reunion

National Museum of the USAF - 2012 Doolittle Raiders Reunion

BC Translink 'Unfare' to drivers

BC Translink keeps dipping into the shallow pockets of drivers to buck up for expansion and upkeep of the transit system. This all the while, they sit idly by and allow fare evaders to continue using the system.  $7million + has been lost in fare evasions and the worst part is, that fare evaders who are ticketed have no real punishment if they don't pay up.


For drivers however, we are stuck with an ongoing tax cash grab to fund the fare evaders.  Tax after tax has been added to the cost of driving over the last few years and no real progress is being made on the part of Translink to stop the offenders or make the riders pay for the service THEY are utilizing.


There is no reason why drivers have to support a transit system. Driver's by definition don't use the transit system. Those who do use the system should be the ones to fund it. Raise the rates, punish the evaders (jail-time if fines aren't paid) and stop trying to rape the other citizens of the Province.


How can you possibly expect the citizens of British Columbia to pay for a system that isn't minding it's own den. Look into your own pockets before trying to dig into mine.


It is time that the Provincial Government made Translink accountable for their conduct and their blatant flippant attitude towards fare evasion. The addition of turnstiles will NOT stop fare evasion. The only thing that the turnstiles will do is cost the taxpayers and drivers more money.

Political Landscape in BC Changing

Has Premier Christy Clark effectively 'killed' the chances of the Liberal Party being re-elected next year?


That is the pivotal question on the minds of Liberals and other British Columbian residents. 


The answer: Well if you look at recent history, the very publicized departure and defection of MLA John van Dogen (Abbotsford South).Some have come out and said they wouldn't be seeking re-election, others hinting as to their intentions. 


Fellow MLA from Abbotsford, Randy Hawes commented on his disappointment of Dogen's defection and hinted as to his intent not to run again. Whether or not this is an indication of a lack of support for Premier Clark is up for discussion. It does however, appear that many in the current caucus are unhappy and are weighing their options prior to next year's Provincial election.


It would seem on the outside looking in, that most of her party is NOT in full support of her Premiership and feel that they will struggle come election day abreast upon her shirt tails.


Speculation surrounding MLA Kevin Falcon's decision as to his re-election prospects are now abounding as quick as the daffodils take bloom around the province. What is a definite, is that the more defections that the Liberal party faces and the Conservative party gains (perish that thought people), the more likely BC will have an NDP in charge come next fall.

Beauty Pagent boots Transgender Contestant

In what can only be called a grotesque display of 'homophobia', Miss Universe Canada, a transgender female (Jenna Talackova) was forcibly removed from the pageant solely on the fact that she was born a male. 


WHAT THE FUCK PEOPLE!!!


Come on, in an age where acceptance should be the norm, the legislative body that governs the pageant should wake up and smell the shit they are trying to shovel.  They (the pageant) have allowed women who have had surgical augmentation to their faces, breasts etc., but now that they are faced with a serious surgical augmentation, they can't hack it. Talk about two-faced policies. There is no rule in their governing body that indicates a transgender cannot compete. There is no rule for it at all. It is simply a few shallow-minded, closet homophobes trying to exude their 'superiority' and not do what is in the best interest of the pageant.


It is 2012, not 1012. Gay and Transgender individuals are here to stay and are not going to cower in fear to the pathetic dehumanizing comments or people.  It is time to stand up and welcome those who are different. If you can change your boobs and nose to compete why is a sex change such a big deal. Clearly, Miss Canada (and yes she won that title fair and square), Jenna should be allowed to compete for Canada. 


If this was such a huge issue, why would the pageant runners allow her to compete for Canada in the first place? That question boggles the mind for a suitable response. Obviously, the lower rungs of the pageant are much more tolerant and accepting of the Transgender society. 


Donald Trump, the 'man' responsible for the Miss Universe pageant, is by far the most uptight, homophobic person involved. He has the final say and sadly made the wrong choice.


This isn't going to go away quietly. Why should it? Discrimination needs to be addressed no matter what the forum. 

Safe House Movie Review

RIDGE MEADOWS DISH

March 26, 2012

Safe House directed by Daniel Espinosa. Starring Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Robert Patrick and Sam Shepard.

Ryan Reynolds plays mild mannered CIA agent, Matt Weston. Weston, who has little field experience,  is the 'reservation taker' for a 'Safe House'. For months on end, Matt sits in an empty building awaiting directives from the top.  Little did he know that his life would change with one phone call. Weston, is given the responsibility of watching Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) a former CIA agent that has decided to take all the secret laundry from every spy agency and sell it to the highest bidder. Making Tobin enemy number 1 for the CIA and everyone else.

Weston (Ryan Reynolds), finds himself over his head in protecting Frost. Weston struggles to dicepher who is right and who is wrong in the quest for the knowledge Frost possesses. In doing so, Weston also has to reconcile his own personal feelings when things aren`t so black and white as he perceived.

Filmed in the picturesque South African city of Cape Town. The stark contrast between the beauty of the city and the vile nature of the spy business give this movie credibility. 

A definite must see for any spy fan. It`s a spy movie with a conscience. Grab your soda, popcorn and enjoy. 

Safe House has a running time of 115 minutes and is rated R for the violence and language.

RAVENBRAN RATING   2.5 out of 5 claws

BC Hockey Juvenile Championship Game Final

RIDGE MEADOWS DISH

March 25, 2012

In a re-run of last year's final, where the Richmond Blues beat the Seafair Islanders in overtime by a score of 4-3.  Seafair definitely will be coming into the game with a settle to score.

Richmond Blues who went through the Round Robin undefeated will be the home team in this tremendous game against their city rival the Seafair Islanders. Fans start to trickle in and I suspect it will be SRO here tonight.

You can feel the climax in the arena escalate as the players take to the ice. Watching the game were players from a few of the other teams in the Tournament as well as a few from Ridge Meadows (who were not in this year's Provincials). 

For some, this is their last hurrah in their minor hockey careers.  A twinge at the heart strings for those twenty year old's whom tonight will say farewell to minor hockey and move forward with their lives.

The first period starts in a fast pace. A complete defensive game is underway with no score entering the 14:00 minute mark.  The crowds are full of life and energy and are quite active in their support.

The first penalty of the game occurs at 3:10, with a two minute 'hooking' call on #9 Seafair. Players from both teams are blocking shots with their bodies. It is fairly easy to see that these boys are playing at the top of their abilities.

Tension building both on the ice and in the stands as the first period comes to an end with no score.  It is truly a spectacle to see such a large crowd for a Juvenile game. Perhaps, the 'lost boys of minor hockey' have really made it home.

The second period starts with Richmond wiring a beauty past Seafair net-minder #1 Tyson Leblanc at 15:31 to make it 1-0. Seafair steps up their game trying to tie up the game. 

The hits are adding up quickly for both benches. Seafair catches a break after the puck hits the post at the 10:00 minute mark to keep it 1-0 in favor of Richmond.

Blues find their way to the penalty box at 9:53 of the second with a 'hooking' call of their own.  Seafair continues to press deep in the Blue's territory but can't get anything past their goalie.  

Penalty for Seafair as #18 takes a two minute for 'hit to the head' giving Richmond a Power play late in the second.  With 33.5 seconds left on the clock in the second period, Seafair scores short-handed to tie it up at 1-1.

The third period starts with Richmond still on the Power Play for :58 seconds and the crowd is simply buzzing. A great penalty kill by the Islanders keeps it tied until the 14:48 mark when the Blues score a bobbler to make it 2-1.

Fever intensifies as the third period shrinks down and  Seafair is clearly rattled and desperately trying to score to stay in the game.  Richmond scores their third goal at 12:19 of the third period to extend their lead by 2. 

The third period is dominated by Richmond and the Islanders fall for the second year in a row 3-1. Richmond's win was their 3rd in a row for the BC Hockey Juvenile Championships.

Congratulations to all the participants in the Provincials and to the winners, the Richmond Blues!

SCOREBOARD BC HOCKEY JUVENILE CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE SCOREBOARD

GAME TIME	HOME	SCORE	VISITOR	SCORE
DAY1
10:30 am	Richmond Blues	2	Seafair Islanders	1
1:30 pm	Winfield Bruins	1	Burnaby Winter Club	5
4:30 pm	Surrey Thunder	11	Nanaimo Clippers	1
8:00 pm	Burnaby Winter Club	2	Seafair Islanders	3
DAY 2
8:00 am	Nanaimo Clippers	2	Richmond Blues	12
11:00 am	Winfield Bruins	4	Surrey Thunder	13
5:00 pm	Burnaby Winter Club	1	Richmond Blues	5
8:00 pm	Seafair Islanders	2	Surrey Thunder	2
DAY 3
8:00 am	Winfield Bruins	9	Nanaimo Clippers	4
2:00 pm	Surrey Thunder	3	Richmond Blues	5
5:00 pm	Nanaimo Clippers	4	Burnaby Winter Club	10
8:00 pm	Seafair Islanders	9	Winfield Bruins	2
DAY 4
8:00 am	Surrey Thunder	1	Burnaby Winter Club	1
11:00 am	Richmond Blues	7	Winfield Bruins	0
2:00 pm	Seafair Islanders		Nanaimo Clippers
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 8:00 pm	Richmond Blues	3	Seafair Islanders	1

Final Day BC Hockey Juvenile Championships

Day 4 and Championship Game day! The fight was now on to see who would meet the undefeated Richmond Blues in the final later Sunday night.

The morning would start off with the Surrey Thunder and the BWC fighting for that coveted spot in the final. A hard fought game with both goaltenders standing firm in their nets allowing only one goal each. The 1 - 1 tie would now put the pressure of Host team Seafair to win their game against Nanaimo in order to make it to the final and prevent Surrey from that coveted spot.

Game fourteen was a fine finish for the undefeated Richmond Blues who hit the ice to face the Winfield Bruins. Winfield still playing strong and hard despite their losing record were no match for the brute force and excellent goaltending of the Blues. The game would end with a crushing 7 - 0 loss for the battered and bruised Bruins. The Richmond Blues would be awarded the P.C.A.H.A Champion Banner after the game.

The last game of the Round Robin the BC Juvenile Hockey Championships belonged to the Seafair Islanders and the Nanaimo Clippers. Nanaimo came out on to the ice with the same intensity and drive as the previous round robin games played. Seafair would break the goal crease first at 19:48 of the first period. Great defensive plays by both teams kept the game 1-0 until the 14:09 point when Seafair sailed another one in the Clippers' net. The Clippers not going away quietly, sprang into action and scored at 11:38 of the first period to make it 2-1.  Seafair taking control of the game in the second period pushing the score to 7-1 by the 5:25 mark. Seafair scoring their seventh goal on a power play after a 'check from behind' which assessed Nanaimo with a 2/10 penalty.

Seafair player gets pulled down on breakaway and gets a penalty shot but is denied by Nanaimo Clipper goalie to keep the game 7 - 1 in favour of the Islanders. The waning moments of the second period go quietly into the books as the Seafair Islanders look to extend their lead and inch their way closer into a birth in tonight's final against hometown rival, the Richmond Blues.

The third period starts with Nanaimo on the offensive, scoring their second goal of the game at 18:15 shorthanded. The remainder of the period has gone fairly unremarkable. A couple of penalties and some solid hockey being played by both teams. Seafair sails into the sunset of this Sunday afternoon with a 7 - 2 clipping of the Nanaimo Clippers.

The win gives the Seafair Islanders their spot in tonight's final against the Richmond Blues in what should be the epic game of the tournament.

BC Hockey Juvenile Championships Game Updates

Game twelve and by far the ugliest game in the Round Robin saw the Seafair Islanders who were 1-1-1 against the 0-3 Winfield Bruins.

The Bruins start the game in a vicious bear like attack and wire a shot past net minder #1 Tyson Leblanc at 17:26 of the first period.  Winfield sat in the driver's seat for the first time in the Tournament until Seafair ties the game on a 4 on 4 at the 4:59 mark of the first.  The Islanders would add two more before the end of the period to head into the second period with a two goal lead.

Winfield's penalty woes continued with several 'hit to the head' penalties being assessed. The Bruins, not shying away from laying some heavy hits. They found the Islanders all too eager to accommodate them. Winfield continued to display their 'Bruinesque' fortitude early in the third period regardless of the 5-1 deficit they were facing.  After some heated exchanges, Winfield would score on a power play to inch the score 5-2.

Seafair with a great breakaway would score at the 12:11 mark of the third to make it 6-2. Fifty-four seconds later, Seafair would fire a bullet into the net to ease their lead to 7-2.  The game would take a downward spiral at the 9:26 mark. A nasty hit by a Seafair player would cause a trickle down effect resulting in several players being penalized and ejected from the game.

The Islanders would go on to win the game with a score of 9 - 2, ending day 3 with a preverbal BANG.