To Jack Layton: There Is Nothing Wrong With Massage Parlours

It seems the NDP surge has ruffled some feathers in the Canadian political landscape.  In fact, an unknown source has managed to dig up a 1996 Police report that had Jack Layton caught up in a Police sting at a local Toronto brothel.  The amazing thing is this has made front page news in the Canadian press.  I have no idea why, as I see nothing wrong with what two consenting adults do behind closed doors.

However, when Jack Layton tries to deny that he knew it was not a legitimate massage studio, he is just insulting our intelligence.  He is either the most naive man in Canada, or he is not telling us the truth.

So I have a proposition for Mr.Layton.  Admit you went to a "rub and tug", and I will not only guide you to Winnipeg's #1 massage parlour, I will personally pay for any "service" you receive.  I am sure I speak for most Canadians, when I say it is your business as to what happened in 1996.  I would actually consider voting for the NDP next Monday, if Mr. Layton just came out and said "so what?  Is there a problem with what I did?"

Look no further to our American neighbours, and the surge in popularity Bill Clinton enjoyed when his affairs were exposed to the American public.

Construction in Winnipeg

I was a little bored today, and decided to drive around and take some pictures of some of the construction projects in Winnipeg.

Richardson College for the Environment Science Complex (University of Winnipeg), Portage Ave.  (completion date- 2012)

McFeetors Hall (University of Winnipeg) Completed 2010

Avenue Building, April 2011

The Chief Peguis Trail Expansion (April 2011)

Union Bank Tower (RRC Campus Downtown), April 2011

Buhler Centre (University of Winnipeg) 

New University of Manitoba Residence Tower

Winnipeg Thrashers?

While the situation with the Phoenix Coyotes looks dire, and any rational minded businessman would have sold them to the True North group by now, it appears that Winnipeg has a better chance of buying the Atlanta Thrashers, and moving them to Winnipeg.  The Coyotes situation is now entangled in legal threats and  litigation that may take years to be resolved.  In Atlanta, this is not the case.

I do not have too many details about the situation in Atlanta, so stay tuned.   I should have more to report by Friday.

CMHR Museum: Can it be converted into a Rock and Roll Museum?

Considering that the Canadian Museum for "Human Rights"  has caused more animosity and tension between different ethnic groups in modern Winnipeg history, even before it has opened it's doors, it's time we cut our losses and investigate if the structure can be turned into something that Winnipeggers will actually want to go to see.

I think it goes without saying that the construction and planning of the CMHR has been a disaster since it's inception.  From cost overruns, ethnic favouritism, and deception from Gail Asper and the project organizers, it is clear that this museum will do more harm than good in the long run.  The CMHR is now asking for an additional $3.6 million from the City of Winnipeg to cover cost shortfalls.  

Enough is enough.

Rather than watch this monstrosity turn into Canada's "Autoworld" (an infamous Automotive Museum which cost about the same amount as the CMHR when you factor in inflation), we should modify the project so that it can turn a profit. Or perhaps at the very least, not bleed the taxpayer white year after year.


Let's turn this building into the Canadian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  With local bands like the Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, the Watchmen, Neil Young, Terry Jacks, Harlequin, Bif Naked, Remy Shand, the Weakerthans, Crash Test Dummies, and many more; Winnipeg has always been the rock and roll capital of Canada.

Let's honour our musical past and build a Museum that people in Winnipeg will be proud of.  Let's turn the CMHR into the inaugural Canadian Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

"Autoworld" grand opening, 1984- Flint, Michigan

Autoworld implosion, 1997- $80 million down the drain.

America's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame- Cleveland, Ohio.

Report: NHL Coyotes will relocate to Winnipeg within days

Reliable sources, including TSN, CTV Sportsnet, and numerous Canadian media outlets, are now stating that after 15 long years, the NHL will likely return to Winnipeg.  According to numerous sources, the deal between Matt Hulsizer and the City of Glendale has fallen apart, and Gary Bettman and the NHL Board of Governors will likely announce the return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg upon the conclusion of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Of course, the NHL top brass are denying these reports, but that is to be expected.  In the rare event of the Coyotes making a run in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the league does not want the relocation news leaking in fear that it could adversely affect ticket sales for the Coyotes remaining games.

With the return of the NHL, many local sports fans will wonder what will become of the AHL Manitoba Moose.   Apparently there have been plans made up to relocate the Moose to British Columbia (most likely to Abbotsford), in the event of the NHL returning to Winnipeg.  True North Sports Entertainment (TNSE) will own the Winnipeg based NHL team, and they will play at the MTS Centre beginning with the 2011-12 NHL season.

Friendly Manitoba?

I drove across the Red River earlier today, and it looks like it is rising pretty rapidly.  The fact that it has been raining this week, and the forecast for Monday is 15C will not make things any better.  I've helped sandbag in 1997 and 2009.  Unfortunately, I am still recovering from two herniated discs in my lower back, so I am not sure I will be able to pitch in and help this year.

It amazes me the attitude of some people in this city.  The Winnipeg Free Press published an article that says the city is in need of 900 volunteers to help sandbag.  Reading some of the comments disgusted me.  Hundreds (perhaps thousands) of Winnipeg homes are in danger of flooding, and some readers have questioned why they should help at all.  Here are some examples:

"Pay me $50/hour with benefits and full injury coverage if my back blows out and I will sandbag these expensive properties."

Dirty Ernie

"My husband and I were having this exact conversation as we drove past Kingston Row yesterday afternoon. Live on the riverbank? Not my problem."
Prairie Chicken

"It isn't my problem people built so close to the river. You want the view then you can pay me to work."

The Orange Rod Blog

I guess people are quick to forget that Winnipeg and the surrounding area were built on what was once a lake thousands of years ago.  The basin floods every so often, and if were not for the Red River Floodway, we would all be submerged in water by now, regardless of where you live.   

We should just be thankful we are protected by the Floodway.  Residents of Southern Manitoba outside the Floodway are not so lucky.  Many flooded homes, farms, etc. are miles from the Red River.  I am not surprised the author of the Orange Rod Blog feels this way.  She has made comments in the past referring to Manitobans who live outside the Perimeter as "idiots" and "rednecks." 

Having said that, if you want to help families and people in need of help to save and protect their homes from flood damage, here is the City of Winnipeg Emergency website.  You could always call 311 and ask about volunteering to help the flood prevention efforts.  

Let's put the "Friendly" back in "Friendly Manitoba" 

NDP bloggers leave much to be desired.

Sometimes there comes a time when you read an article on a blog that you feel compelled to make a statement on.  Especially if it is a local blog.  With the Manitoba Provincial election coming up in the fall, there have been many local blogs that have been created to influence voters.  A disproportionate number of the new blogs seem to be coming from NDP supporters.

So when I came across a blog that attacks and discredits a Canadian Olympic Gold medalist for virtually no reason, I was at loss for words.  There have been other instances where I have just had to shake my head at some of the statements made by the authors.  

For instance, the Orange Rod blog has made her share of outrageous claims.  The Orange Rod has claimed that Manitobans living outside the Perimeter highway are all "a bunch of rednecks."  Another post tells Manitobans to move out of the province, if they oppose the plans for the Bipole III  Hydro project.  Another post claims the Winnipeg Police Service are against  having women as a mayor.  The reason?  The WPS endorsed Sam Katz for the mayor office.

The scary thing is the Orange Rod is relatively tame compared to some of the more recent NDP-friendly blogs.  The NDP supporters and members have taken dirty politics to a new low.  These blogs are some of the most disgusting, hate-filled, and vile propaganda I have ever witnessed at a Provincial level.  Here are some examples:

http://bigphart.blogspot.com/


http://justdamnstupid.blogspot.com/

http://hughiemcfadyen.blogspot.com/

http://gauchemanitoba.blogspot.com/

Now I am not the biggest fan of Hugh McFadyen.  I still have yet to decide who to vote for.  However, what the NDP bloggers fail to realize is that McFayden, Susan Auch, Sam Katz, Stephen Harper, and many others that they have smeared, attacked, and ridiculed, is that they are all people like you and me.  We all have our faults.  It's fair to be critical of someone if you against their policies or agenda.  

However, the Manitoba NDP have taken mudslinging and smear tactics to a new level.  I will never vote for the New Democratic Party again as long as I live.  You can thank the NDP hate machine for my decision.

Coyotes move to Winnipeg could depend on playoff performance

According to the Phoenix Business Journal, the fate of the NHL Phoenix Coyotes will depend on how they fare in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  The article states that "The longer the Coyotes are in the NHL playoffs, the more time Glendale has to find bond investors and NHL and prospective Coyotes owner Matthew Hulsizer will have to finalize a deal to keep the team in Arizona."

So in other words, if the Coyotes want to remain in Arizona, they will have to break what has come to be known as the "Curse of the Jets."  The Coyotes have never won a playoff round, since moving to the Arizona desert back in 1996.  In fact, you would have to go back to 1987 the last time the franchise was able to advance to the second round of the playoffs.  The Winnipeg Jets disposed of the Calgary Flames in six games that season, before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup winning champion Edmonton Oilers.

By the looks of the standings, this will be no easy feat.  The Coyotes are currently sitting in the #6 seed in the Western Conference, and if they want to move up in the standings, they will have to defeat the Kings and Sharks to close out the season.   The odds of that happening are fairly slim, so it's likely Phoenix will be forced to play either San Jose or Detroit in the opening round.

The San Jose Sharks have had the Coyotes number all season.  In fact, the Sharks have won all games against the Coyotes, dating back to last season.  On the other hand, the Coyotes may have to play the Detroit Red Wings in the first round.  Last season, despite having home ice advantage, the Wings disposed of the Coyotes in 7 games.  This year, Detroit has home ice advantage (although one can argue that every time the Wings play in Arizona, Detroit fans seem to outnumber Coyotes fans).

At any rate, the odds are against the Coyotes to go very far in the playoffs.  That happens to be great news for Winnipeg hockey fans.

My break from posting.

I apologize for taking a break from posting on my blog for over a week.  It's been a hectic last few days for me.  I thank everyone out there in cyberspace who has taken the time to check out the Purple Rod.   Look forward to reading a new set of blog posts in the coming few days.