The Star has an article regarding a video posted to Youtube.

In a tongue-and-cheek video posted by the politician on YouTube, Councillor Adam Giambrone shows himself working out to prove that he has the “years of physical and mental training that it takes to run the city.”

After a brief discussion of the video and some initial reactions (i.e. Youtube commenters, i.e. the worst people in the world), the article concludes with this:

Giambrone is expected to announce his candidacy for mayor on Feb.1.

In what sense has he not already announced it? He was on 102.1 a couple days ago in the morning talking about how he’s not confirming or denying that he’ll be running, but that everyone is invited to Revival on Feb. 1.

At the end of the video, the last thing (and the first serious thing) Giambrone says is “I’m Adam Giambrone, and I’m ready.” The video then invites everyone out to Revival on Feb. 1.

Either he’s running, or he’s being paid by Revival.

He’s running. He just hasn’t filled out the forms.

Do young people vote in municipal elections? Serious question.

Apparently DC is imposing a charge for plastic bags, just like the one here in Toronto.

I think one of the key positive things the tax has accomplished is making it socially acceptable to bring your own bags to the grocery store. The canvas bags now used by most people (and sold by most grocery stores) are far superior to plastic bags. I can carry in two bags what previously would have needed eight. And I don’t have to worry that one of those bags will have its bottom fall out the first time I decide to rush across a busy intersection.

Without making it an everybody thing, it’s awkward to say “Oh, don’t worry, I carry my own bags.” Because people who carry their bags are, you know, bag people.

I was initially sceptical of the “But look at facebook” polling, but given there are 177,000 people in the facebook group for Canadians Against Prorogue, and that 58% (of the 67% who are aware of it) are against prorogue, it’s clear there’s generally large opposition to the motion. It would be nice to think that this could be the kind of event that would politicize a generation, awoken by a cynical act in such a pure anti-democratic spirit. It would be nice to see this play out in a meaningful way, to see the Conservatives branded as the big party that wouldn’t. Given polling on where the parties stand, I’m guessing it will pass with too much effect.

Canada’s good for old people.

The main thing hurting Canada, it seems, is the weather.

The US ranks higher. Because seniors have health care. Of course Canada outranks on the Human Development Index.

See what happens when people get healthcare?

Busy packing/moving for the next week or so, but just saw that everybody in Connecticut thinks Joe Lieberman is a loser, which is exactly what he is and exactly what he deserves, and it’s kind of freaking me out that the right conclusion came out of the right circumstances.

Apparently Walmart is trying to do some good to reduce the material used in overpackaged products.

I actually do own something to make opening packages easier, and I haven’t bled since buying it.

I’m guessing this is less a case of a Walmart board meeting with the agenda “How can we help the environment?” and more the case of a Walmart board meeting with the agenda “What are we already trying to do that happens to help the environment?”

Walmart ships bazillions of cubic whatevers of goods around. If they can cut down on the size of the packaging, they can ship more product in less space.

I’m not saying it’s not good, I’m just saying let’s not kid ourselves about their motivations.

Harper will soon appoint new senators to give the Conservatives a plurality, if not a majority, in the Senate.

The original plan was basically to cap terms as a first step to abolishing the whole thing. Since he couldn’t get that accomplished, Harper said “Fine, y’all can go fuck yourselves” and made a bunch of appointments.

That’s not so much hypocritical as it is highlighting problems by creating those problems yourself.

But Harper could soon have a majority in the Senate. And he could have one in the House, depending on how things go in the next six months. If he gets both, and then doesn’t move on Senate reform, at that point he’d have some serious explaining to do. Though at that point, maybe that means there won’t be enough people caring to demand it.

I never liked Ignatieff. From the beginning I found his statements lacking, from either a political or intellectual perspective. But I knew people who liked him, smart people. And those people no longer like him. It seems Liberal support has settled on the level of people-who-vote-Liberal-no-matter-what. Those who actively require vision have left for NDP or Green. Those who are assholes have left for Conservative.

With a potential election always potentially months away under a minority government, it’s not easy to replace a party leader without seeming to put the party into a position of election unpreparedness. I think the main Liberal strategy right now has to be not about how to take down Harper, but to determine the optimal timing for selecting a new leader. And the whole party had better quickly get behind someone (as they did behind Ignatieff), because any infighting will only hurt.

Despite (or because of?) his unwillingness to govern, I have a feeling we may be seeing Harper for quite a while still.