Your Opinion Counts! Really! It's Talk Show Idol Time Again!

Before a Politician embarks on a campaign they usually commission a straw poll to gauge their possibilities.

That's what I'm doing here today.

AM900 CHML Radio in Hamilton is resurrecting it's 'Talk Show Idol' contest again.

Some of you may recall that I entered the first edition in 2007, and finished second overall.

Some may say that's a great achievement for a kid from the country.

Some may say that second place is the first loser.

Some may liken me to Justin Guarini.

In any case, since my first go round I started this Blog to hone my ranting skills, and as a way to express my opinion to all those who care to read it. Or not to read it.

I asked for some people to select a 'Best of IMAG' collection and here is what they came up with:

• Double Dippers
• 'Scuse Me?
• He Never Served His Country
• Another Un-needed Law
• and the ever popular When I am King.
  

(click on the title to read the post)

So I throw it to you, folks.

Do I run again?

Or do I bask in my near success of the first run?

If I win, I can't promise a chicken in every pot, or no new taxes. But I will devote as much air time as I can to the various charities I've supported over the years.

...and I promise not to use the "N" word again.

DJW

DJ regrets and apologizes for using the word "Newfie" on the air.

The Circle of Life

I've been sorting a lot of memories in recent weeks. Funny thing about memories, one seems to trigger another.

While this overcrowded shed in my head is jammed with useless factoids like... there were just around 20,000 AMX's built ...and that Walrus's (or is it Walrusii?) eat 4,000 clams in 10 minutes, miraculously I still have room for some fond memories.

I remember things like evening drives going for a 'red pop'; campfires in the back yard; watching clouds with Ma and spontaneous jam sessions breaking out in the kitchen.

I am the youngest of the gang by far, with 11 years between myself and my sister. The official line is that I was the only 'planned' one and I'll stick with that. That gave me the luxury of being treated like an only child (with 6 parents no less) But the truth is, I had more time with Ma and Pa than the Big Four.

One of the memories that blindsided me the other night was a good one.

While we still lived in the country ( before I turned 11), Pa would occasionally pack us up a meal in a canvas ditty bag , which was usually a pork chop and some sliced potatoes wrapped in tinfoil, a few 'red pops' for me and a few 'brown pops' for him. He would then announce to Ma in a very man like voice that we were going "Hunting Bunnies", and bring along a couple of antique 22's he had. (Google Steven's Little Scout and Steven's Visible Action if you wish). We would drive 1/2 mile to the TH&B tracks, then walk the 1/2 mile down to a trestle that passed over a creek in the bush. We would gather wood for a campfire, and while our meal cooked on a rock in the middle, we'd hunt 'tin' bunnies that we found and set on stumps in the woods. Usually we would see a real bunny, and would try to get close enough to feed it with some the nuts that Pa always had in his pocket, but they frequently would skitter off.

The other night I took Pa for a 'roll' around the grounds of the Hospice. The area there must be 4 acres, and has lots of both landscaped and natural growth.

Much to his delight, we spotted not one, but two bunnies.





All these years later, I'm the one taking Pa out hunting bunnies.


DJW

He Never Served His Country.

He was a singer/dancer/entertainer.

A self mutilating, accused pedophile who in the last decade or so became a parody of himself.

I'm not even going to mention his name because I'm sick of hearing it.

He never served his country.

He never put his life in danger for anyone.

He never came under enemy fire or never had to fire back in his own defense or in the defense of others.

He never saved a life.

He died of an apparent drug overdose.

I'm disgusted at the amount of coverage given to this freak, and even more disgusted that the first 10 minutes of the news today was about him.

There was a Ramp Ceremony today in Kandahar for Master Corporal Pat Audet and Corporal Martin Joannette, killed in a chopper incident yesterday.

Yesterday... while a procession passed along The Highway of Heroes.

Cpl. Nick Bulger was killed last week by an I.E.D. in Afghanistan.

CHCH News in Hamilton pushed the Ramp Ceremony story back until after the 'first glance' at the weather. Even then, they only gave it one minute.

One minute.

Shameful.

To the families, comrades and friends of Master Corporal Pat Audet, Corporal Martin Joannette and Corporal Nick Bulger, I am very sorry for your loss, and saddened that a celebrity spectacle denied these men the respect they should have received.

They served their Country with honour.

They put their lives in danger for everyone.

They came under enemy fire and had to fire back in their own defense and the defense of others.

They saved lives.

They died with honour and dignity.



Corporal Nick Bulger Master Corporal Pat Audet and Corporal Martin Joannette

"At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them."

Lest we forget.

DJW

Timeline: Death toll in Afghanistan

Peacekeeper Park