I'm guessing you've heard about this whole Miss California debaucle.
If not, here's what went down:
During the 2009 Miss USA pageant, Prejean was asked by pageant judge Perez Hilton whether she believed every U.S. state should legalize same-sex marriage. She responded, "Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman." - source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Prejean
Miss Prejean found herself right in the middle of a cultural war with that statement, and many supporters of gay marriage think she should have been decrowned for it.
I disagree... wait, wait, wait, hear me out!
I disagree that she should be decrowned for the statement. Sure, it's an outdated way of thinking, but it's still her opinion. She gave an honest answer to an honest question and she shouldn't be penalized for it. I doagree, however, that Carrie Prejean should be stripped of her title as Miss California USA for these lovely little snapshots that have been making the rounds on the net.
Opinions are opinions, but Miss California flat out lied when she signed up for the job. Any employer would fire her for doing so... except Donald Trump it seems. I guess business ethics can be shoved aside when there's a profit to be made from the publicity.
The whole thing has become such a mess, and it's unfortunate that the heart of the matter... the gay marriage debate... is in the center of a mass of skeezy marketing, profiteering, and indifference to the cause.
Keith Olbermann says it best...
Yep... the times sure are changing!
Come gather round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth saving
Then you'd better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone
For the times, they are a changing
Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pens
And keep your eyes open, the chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon, the wheel's still in spin
And there's no telling who that it's naming
Oh the loser will be later to win
For the times, they are a changing
Come senators, congressmen, please head the call
Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt will be her that has stalled
The battle outside ragging will soon shake your windows
And rattle your hall
For the times, they are a changing
Come mothers and fathers all over this land
And don't criticize what you can't understand
Your sons and your daughter are beyond your command
Your old role is rapidly aging
Please get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand
Recently the Government of Alberta released its shiny new 25 million dollar promotional campaign, featuring a fresh, re-branded image for the province.
A new logo, a new slogan, and many stunning photographs of some pristine, down-home Alberta scenery.
One such photo is the one I've posted above. Two happy children frolicking on the beach of an Alberta lake, eminating the spirit of the future Alberta wants to present to visitors and residents alike...
... too bad that isn't in Alberta...
You see, the photo is actually that of a beach near Northumberland, England... the legendary birthplace of Sir Lancelot...
Of course, there's a story behind the discovery of the truth behind the picture, and it kinda makes you wonder why the folks who shelled out 25 million taxpayer dollars (during a global recession) didn't read the fine print...
I'm sure they have a good reason... the world is a busy place these days. Twitter and what-have-you...
I love Alberta, I think it's one of Canada's most beautiful and dynamic provinces and I'm proud to call it home. So here's a few snapshots I put together that will hopefully help out the new campaign.
A lot of people are. But it's an issue, well, a lot of people are uncomfortable bringing up. (Right here).
We can talk eachothers ears off about the recessions, bailouts and bankruptcy, all of which are serious issues today, but they are also not that common for the commonest of folk.
IE... forever-renters. (Right here)
I don't own property, I don't buy stock bonds and I probably couldn't properly explain to you what an RRSP is... but I'm still human, and credit cards are just so damn easy to mess around with... Money is money, it is what it is, and that's why it is also something we can learn to manage.
A few weeks ago we launched The Money Minute on Energy 101.5, and with a little (a lot) of help from our friends at ATB Financial, we're gonna break down the basics of money management and planning, so that the rest of us (right here) can finally make some cents of it all (I had to throw that in).
It's quite simple.
Crank that radio up on 101.5, and throughout the day you'll hear a quick, one-minute segment with myself and Sonu (a whiz!!!) from ATB Financial, with a couple quick and easy tips on how you can start to improve your currency chaos! (Ha, did you like that?)
Every new week will feature information on the basics like how to pick the right checking account? What he heck is a credit score? And how to I figure out this new-fangled mortgage?
Sonu knows her stuff, and she's pretty rad too. So we're gonna have some fun learning a whole lot of useful stuff together.
In fact, ATB is helping me dig my way out of my own financial mess, and they've been unbelievably helpful and caring so far.
ATB will go the distance for you, that I can say with confidence.
So check out The Money Minute. It might be that lightbulb moment where you can start to help yourself too.
And hey, if you miss it or, you know, don't own a radio or something... check it out online!
Oh, and by the way...
If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send it in! If we read it on the air, then ATB Financial will give you ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!
Nice!
It's all about the dolla-dolla bills yo!
Take care folks, hope to hear your questions soon!
Cheers!
Ian
Oh, P.S. Check out Sonu's fancy photo from a Workopolis ad... she's suuuuuch a diva ;)
The name is sure funny. And it's even funnier when you hear Lloyd Robertson say "Follow the news with Twitter at CTV dot ca." I don't think Lloyd Robertson knows what Twitter is. I barely do.
The concept I understand. Especially as a seasoned Facebook user. It's basically a site committed to status updates. (right?) And instead of friends, you have followers. So you sign up for this site, give yourself a catchy nickname, round up a bunch of followers, and then...
...
...
Uh, I'll get back to you on that. But so far it sounds like the makings of a cult. All we need are satin robes, a punch bowl, and a bald guy with an Astrovan who promises a better life on the moons of Jupiter.
That said, I'm on Twitter now. So... wanna follow me? I'm very interesting.
I can't help but fall in love along with the masses. It's an amazing movie. Hauntingly alive and desperately human. It resonates with love and passion for damn good filmmaking. Danny Boyle is the man. He won my heart with 28 Days Later and never gave it back.
The second is Happy-Go-Lucky. It's another Oscar contender rubbing elbows with the Benjamin Buttons and the literate Kate Winslets, but all the big kids are kinda hogging the spotlight.
Doesn't phase the good people behind this movie though. "It's all part of it" as Poppy would say. She's the adorable and colorful leading lady you see beaming away in the stripes there. She makes me wonder if I need to be a nicer person, but also grabs me by my heels and brings me back down to earth to share a laugh about it. If life is one big roller coaster then people like Poppy are riding in the front car.
Let it be known folks, by no means is she half of anything. She's the entire package!
She's an artist who grew up in Sri Lanka, India and the UK and now she makes incredible music from one of the most genuinely artistic (and badass) souls I've seen.
She also contributed to the score for Slumdog Millionaire. That endeavor banked a nom at the Oscars. It's yours my dear! It has to be.
M.I.A. aka Missing in Action. Ugh, so cool. She makes me wanna copy that t-shirt.
