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Morning Brew: July 31st, 2008
Photo: "Downpour" by Jose, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.
Your Toronto morning news roundup for Thursday July 31st, 2008:
July's relentless, record rain resulted in a lot of whiny water cooler banter, but also put some of our infrastructure to the test (flooding sewer systems, hydro vault explosions, etc). Forecasters are predicting a much less thunderstorm and party-ruining, rain-ridden August, so perhaps we'll feel like we're having a summer after all.
The CRTC (finally!) is set to introduce a "do not call" registry system to introduce a mechanism for (almost!) putting end to annoying, unsolicited marketing/research calls. Exemptions will exists: businesses that have already established a relationship with you (for example, your mobile phone carrier), political parties, polling companies, newspaper publishers seeking new subscriptions, and registered charities will still be able to interrupt your most intimate Saturday afternoon with the family.
The much debated topic of driving while using a cell phone is back on the news radar. The Ontario government has plans to introduce legislation in the fall, mkng driverr dirtactions illgal n pnishable by steeep fines or imprisonmnt.
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Hording of thousands of stolen bikes isn't the only accusation Igor Kenk is facing. Police claim to have discovered and collected over 15lbs of marijuana while conducting garage raids. Looks like the accused's problems are growing.
Even concert tickets are going up due to rising fuel costs. Or are Bon Jovi ($88) and Leonard Cohen ($112) just greedy, scapegoating rock star? Hmmmm.
Airport border staff at Pearson will be getting sensitivity training so that they can better deal with Arab and Muslim passengers. Having never had any difficulties of the sort myself, I can only surmise that any steps in the direction of reducing ethnic or religious profiling would be welcome changes.
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This intentional, or did you fall asleep at the computer Jerrold?
Yesterday I was waiting at streetcar stop and next to me pulled up a police cruiser, wherein the police officer was texting away on what must have been a personal phone (the pink case gave it away). Twice the cars in front moved forward and she didn't notice. Driving and talking with a head set is one thing but people should get in trouble for trying to do other things on phones. I can barely walk while texting.
(yes, it was intentional) :)
It wouldn't surprise me though if in addition to raising the initial price, Ticketmaster and Live Nation instigated an addition "Transportation fee" or "Gasoline fee" on top of it anyway.
Also, does anyone else see the irony of having a do-not-call list that excludes "political parties, polling companies, newspaper publishers seeking new subscriptions, and registered charities"? Who the hell else makes telemarketing calls??
^Industries with poor lobbyists.
Perhaps we could get the telemarketers calling all cellphone users in traffic and kill 2 birds with one stone.
BTW did you see US Congress wants to ban cell calls on flights?
fortunately, a cyclist stupid enough to ride while talking (or god forbid, texting) is most likely to hurt themselves and not others. I wish I could say the same about drivers.
I agree with your comment though - I once watched an argument explode between two cyclists over the fact that one was on her phone while riding. I was amused but not surprised that she didn't even bother to hang up while arguing, and she certainly didn't stop riding either.