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TEA & TWO SLICES: On Politicians “Living” On Welfare And Journalism For Dumb People

by Sean OrrFriends of CBC mocks US culture. When all they really needed to do to prove their point was to link to a Sun News Network interview! I mean, it would be one thing if our government wasn’t actively mimicking the tough-guy conservatism of our historically aggressive neighbours or picking sides in a Clash of Fundamentalisms.

Exposure is great, but you can die from it: MLA accepts challenge to live on $610 for a month. I just don’t understand this kind of politicking. I didn’t get it when Lorne Mayencourt did it and I don’t get why Brar is doing it now. The most obvious point being that a lot of people on welfare are unable to work because of some sort of disability, which I assume Brar doesn’t have. Furthermore, if people knew they would only be on welfare for a month they’d be overjoyed. The reality is that the system perpetuates itself by offering only the barest minimum of assistance which then fosters dependency. What’s more, Jagrup is married. And you can’t be married and receive welfare. He’d be considered a dependent of his wife. Also, he has a pretty sweet job to return to when this little stunt is all over.

I love when satire is done right. Here’s an example of the opposite: And now, a Christmas letter to Christy Clark’s great big family. “And speaking of sistas from anudda mudda, Pam is settling in well in her new job, although we’re still figuring out what it is”. Gordzilla? More like Giant Piece of Cheese.

Retailer lululemon gets lots of attention for promoting Ayn Rand character on its shopping bags. Not really surprising considering Buzz Lightyear Chip Wilson’s affinity for the pseudo-cult Landmark.

Not getting it example #394: The next Yaletown?. “Sleepy old Marpole is changing fast.” Yaletown was a wholesale act of gentrification of industrial land into residential land ((meant to coincide with the post-Expo housing boom and the Concord Pacific development). Creating density around transit points like Marpole is not the same thing my friend.

Actual headline: Giant Panda genes to German bacteria show China’s science drive. I’m not even going to read this to find out what they’re talking about. Instead, I’m going to quietly repeat it like a mantra while huddling in a dark corner of my loft in Gastown, slowly…rocking…back…and…forth.

Maclean’s chooses Will and Kate as newsmakers of 2011. The absence of the #Occupy protests from this list is far more telling than any of their commentary.

From the venerable Vancouver Sun: Photos: Wild, weird celebrity Twitter pics. <— This is why people are dumb.

On Ken Sim’s So-Called “Swagger” and ABC’S Class War

Sean Orr is back from his hiatus with a rundown of the local headlines that have been running on a ticker tape through his mind over the past six months...

On Post-Election Recuperation, Platform Paradoxes and Refund Communities

In his latest read of the local news headlines, Sean Orr finds irony in "safety, affordability, and sustainability", and shouts out a bunch of amazing local organizations working on the frontlines.

On Running for City Council, Playing Whack-a-Mole with Homelessness, and the Public Washroom Deficit

In his latest read of the local news headlines, Sean Orr finds a park ranger with a grudge, a gross misuse of air quotes and Tripadvisor slander.

On Living in a City Preoccupied with Street Cleaning, Chandeliers, and Campaigns Against the Homeless

In his latest read of the local news headlines, Sean Orr hones in on the recent Langley shootings, and the ongoing criminalizing and dehumanizing of the homeless population.