Why Eviction Must Be Occupy London’s Eureka Moment

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By Jason Menard

Newton’s First Law of Motion states, “Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.” Perhaps today’s threat of expulsion from Victoria Park may be the force that propels the Occupy London movement into doing something positive with the opportunity they’ve been given.

I truly want what I imagine Occupy London to mean to succeed. But the need to clarify that statement has been the organization’s biggest failing. Continue reading →

Kuhnhackl Suspension Proves Stars Play By Same Rules; NHL Must Follow

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By Jason Menard

Tom Kuhnhackl’s 20-game suspension couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

I mean that wholeheartedly and it’s reflective of a positive change in the Ontario Hockey League that holds everyone – stars and goons alike – accountable for their actions when it comes to head shots.

Minor leagues have often been the proving ground for changes that find their way to the big leagues. One can only hope that OHL commissioner David Branch’s hard-line on head shots will find its way to the NHL sooner rather than later. Continue reading →

My World Does Not Include Random Acts of Kindness Day

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By Jason Menard

I have chosen to boycott today’s Random Acts of Kindness Day despite being a willing participant in the activities. It’s not that I have anything against it; I just don’t see the need.

But maybe I’m living in a world and holding onto ideals that no longer exist. Continue reading →

How Occupy London Can Go About Occupying Londoners’ Hearts

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By Jason Menard

Earlier this week, the Occupy London movement sent out a Tweet requesting help from more experienced volunteers to help them craft a message – which is a fantastic showing of self-awareness from this group as too much of their message is being defined by outside interests.

Occupy London is a polarizing group – and that polarization comes from their lack of anything tangible to which the average person can relate. You either agree that everything needs to change, or you see this as rudderless, aimless, misplaced, self-serving behaviour. Continue reading →

Insulting Tax Word Games Must Stop When Math is Clear

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By Jason Menard

Technically speaking, we’re not morons. So why, in trying to repackage tax increases in cute euphemisms and technicalities, are our politicians treating us as such?

This morning, the City of London’s finance and administration committee voted on what they called a “tax shift,” which would have transferred some of the tax-paying burden from industries (to the tune of a 23.5% decrease) to the residential tax payers (an increase of 1.3 per cent). (The committee voted against the increase).

Because the numbers would basically wash, technically it’s wasn’t a hike, true. But for tax paying citizens already struggling under the weight of sizeable property tax bills (not to mention various charges collected by City-run utilities such as London Hydro), it’s insulting. Continue reading →