From the desk of...Z.Black: December 2008

This year, with one of those closest to me facing impending layoffs just two week after the Christmas Holidays and another unceremoniously dismissed just forty-eight hours before Santa’s sleigh took to the sky’s, jobs will likely be at the top of my wish list.

The harsh realities of the 08' economic strain have often had this reporter wondering out loud what he wouldn’t do for a couple of extra tiddlywinks to invest in the dirt cheap real estate of Detroit, Michigan or Oshawa, Ontario but that’s paramount to being an insurance sales man or ambulance chaser, things I was never cut out for in the first place.

This kind of thinking has taken us all by storm, gusts of despair, downpour recession, thunderous "bailout" snicker . . . but a new year represents a chance to enhance the prospects of the future.

Jobs are on the horizon and when they come it wont be Godbama, Saint Biden or any other Heavenly Washington bureaucrat who elopes with the credit, credit will rest squarely on the shoulders of the American people.

I know, Proverbs are so cliché but how could I resist: Where there’s a will there’s a way.

Z.B.

NowPublic

Tags: Culture | TV | * President Barack Obama

TSN weighs Canada's chances on eve of World Junior tournament

December 24th, 2008
TSN weighs Canada's chances on eve of World Junior tournament

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Advocates of Change in Food Policy Look to Obama With Hope - NYTimes.com

December 23rd, 2008
Advocates of Change in Food Policy Look to Obama With Hope - NYTimes.com
Kim Severson

New Congress Likely to Meet Before Ruling in Minnesota - NYTimes.com

December 24th, 2008
New Congress Likely to Meet Before Ruling in Minnesota - NYTimes.com
Christina Capecchi

The Rundown - December 24, 2008; 8:00 AM ET - Political Browser #more#more#more

December 24th, 2008
The Rundown - December 24, 2008; 8:00 AM ET - Political Browser #more#more#more
Ben Pershing

President-Elect's Holiday Address Offers Prayers and Praise for America's Troops | 44 | washingtonpost.com#more#more#more#more#more#more

December 23rd, 2008
President-Elect's Holiday Address Offers Prayers and Praise for America's Troops | 44 | washingtonpost.com#more#more#more#more#more#more
Phillip Rucker

Michael Wilbon - Michael Wilbon: Baugh Belongs in Quarterback Conversation - washingtonpost.com

December 19th, 2008
Michael Wilbon - Michael Wilbon: Baugh Belongs in Quarterback Conversation - washingtonpost.com
Michael Wilbon

TheStar.com | Junior Hockey | Team Canada's cruising but questions still remain

December 24th, 2008
TheStar.com | Junior Hockey | Team Canada's cruising but questions still remain
Damien Cox

-:: Brampton Battalion Official Website ::

December 22nd, 2008
-:: Brampton Battalion Official Website ::
Star treatment for Hodgson at Hershey

-:: Brampton Battalion Official Website ::

December 20th, 2008
-:: Brampton Battalion Official Website ::
Troops' numbers add up to solid start

-:: Brampton Battalion Official Website ::

December 18th, 2008
-:: Brampton Battalion Official Website ::
Duchene chosen for Top Prospects tilt

There's no "I" in John Tavares | Terry Koshan | Columnists | Sports | Toronto Sun

December 24th, 2008
There's no "I" in John Tavares | Terry Koshan | Columnists | Sports | Toronto Sun
Terry Koshan

Friday, December 19, 2008

TheStar.com | Food | Cookie a day until Christmas

December 19th, 2008
TheStar.com | Food | Cookie a day until Christmas

Comment:
A cookie a day sound good, anytime of year.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

BBC NEWS | Americas | Canada's black gold oil rush

December 10th, 2008
BBC NEWS | Americas | Canada's black gold oil rush
Sarah Shenker

granma.cu - Reflections of Fidel: Sailing against the tide

December 5th, 2008
granma.cu - Reflections of Fidel: Sailing against the tide
Refelection of Fidel
Fidel Castro

In Search of the Next Josh Hamilton - WSJ.com

December 18th, 2008
In Search of the Next Josh Hamilton - WSJ.com
Nando Di Fino

Indie Wrestlers Bleed for Cheers - WSJ.com

December 18th, 2008
Indie Wrestlers Bleed for Cheers - WSJ.com
Marshall Crook

How Cheap Is Too Cheap? - WSJ.com

December 18th, 2008
How Cheap Is Too Cheap? - WSJ.com
Neal Templin

Comment:

Wow, Neal Templin a reason to read the Journal

Obama's Basketball-Playing Cabinet Has Everyone Wanting In on Game - WSJ.com

December 18th, 2008
Obama's Basketball-Playing Cabinet Has Everyone Wanting In on Game - WSJ.com
Amy Chozick

The Denouement of Howard Dean? - The Fix#more#more

December 18th, 2008
The Denouement of Howard Dean? - The Fix#more#more
Chris Cilliza

Magazine Preview - Between Obama and the Press - NYTimes.com

December 17th, 2008
Magazine Preview - Between Obama and the Press - NYTimes.com
Mark Leibovich

Obama and the Transparency Trap - The Fix#more#more#more

December 18th, 2008
Obama and the Transparency Trap - The Fix#more#more#more
Chris Cilliza

Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush asks for pardon - washingtonpost.com

December 18th, 2008
Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush asks for pardon - washingtonpost.com
Qassim Abdul-Zahra

Linda Diebel - Political Decoder

December 18th, 2008
Linda Diebel - Political Decoder
Linda Diebel

PART 12: Native inmates face 'systemic discrimination' | Mark Bonokoski | Columnists | News | Toronto Sun

December 18th, 2008
PART 12: Native inmates face 'systemic discrimination' | Mark Bonokoski | Columnists | News | Toronto Sun

Quinn to return to 'special place' | Mike Zeisberger | Columnists | Sports | Toronto Sun

December 18th, 2008
Quinn to return to 'special place' | Mike Zeisberger | Columnists | Sports | Toronto Sun
Mike Zeisberger

Aid for homeless is street legal | Michele Mandel | Columnists | News | Toronto Sun

December 18th, 2008
Aid for homeless is street legal | Michele Mandel | Columnists | News | Toronto Sun
Michele Madel

Toronto's Transit Commission: Answers Just a Rap Beat Away

After several viewing’s of Toronto’s latest You Tube sensation, a music video titledI get on (the TTC) a thought of epic proportion flew from the dark caverns of my mind through the dilapidated keys of my aging laptop,perhaps Scarborough Rapper, Randal Paul should challenge TTC Chair Adam Giambrone to an all out battle with Giambrone Commissionaires seat on the line. It appears at least from the video as though the young man from Toronto`s eastside known as Randal Paul has a sharp head on his shoulders, modern ideas in his head and an entourage of one, and that more than we can say about the TTC`s current Commish.

Zee

NowPublic

Tags: Culture | Music | Toronto

Tis the Season . . . for Taxi Robbery

On Wednesday evening at around 10:00 p.m. in an overflowing suburb somewhere north of the Peace Bridge a veteran taxi driver escaped with his life following an encounter with a knife welding female and her boyfriend, the apparent puppet master and ring leader.

Two females accompanied by one volatile male with his hood pulled over his eye’s jump into a cab outside of a local supermarket.

The veteran hack, luckily, caught the "play" slammed on his breaks and made for the door handle before, upon the male passenger request the female directly behind the drive produced a large kitchen knife which was used to subdue the driver when it was placed under his troat.

The taxi driver escaped without injury and managed to wrestle away the hoodlums only leverage (the knife) which was left behind for review by the counties finest.

Cab drivers have long known the Holiday Season to be not only the most rewarding time of year to be behind the wheel but also the most dangerous. Money, for everyone is at a paramount during the "festive" season and cab drivers often make quick victims too hungry, spin-less Cretan’s look to make a quick buck. It’s easy for the hoodlum, who does not need to worry about things like security, vigilantism or coincidence which could get him/her caught during a bank robbery or convenience store heist, taxi robbing is more of a one on one affair, except when it’s a one on three like Wednesday evening. This year the International Financial crisis that grips almost the entire planet has created an elevated risk for neighbourhood taxis’, robberies are up, thefts are up, gas prices are high and price, physical, emotional and financial of doing is business is just too high.

A Wiseman once said "never look a gift horse in the mouth" and it’s probably a good idea but I suggest not pissing of the guy that going to be driving your drunk ass home on New Years Eve.

Zee

NowPublic

Tags: Strange | "New York"