The lyric about answering machine

From Kinsella's blog, July 31, 2004:

How do you say I miss you to
An answering machine?
How do you say good night to
An answering machine?
How do you say I'm lonely to
An answering machine?



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Original URL at http://www.warrenkinsella.com/musings_july04.htm

From Kinsella's blog, August 2, 2004

Aug 2, 2004 - Heading back, leavin' Jamaica, mon. Everybody says "mon," here. I wonder if it is a real thing, or the product a marketing focus group by the Jamaican Tourist Bureau.

....

See you on the other side, mon!



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Original URL at http://www.warrenkinsella.com/musings_august04.htm

From Kinsella's blog, July 27, 2004

July 27, 2004 - I can only assume Larry Zolf's editor is on vacation, because I can't believe his latest column is actually found on the CBC web site.

In it, the way in which Zolf discusses ethnic communities is more than just clumsy. It's appallingly insensitive and dumb, too. A sampling, with italics added:

...

• 
  "Now years later in Canada, the ethnic groups are playing out their game with the skilled hand of Paul Martin. The ethnic groups are a key to victory in the next election."
• 
  "The ethnic groups in the Liberal party are the main hope for a Martin victory in a run-off election. They constitute a large number of the 75 Ontario seats carried by Martin in the 2004 election 2004. They also holdd [sic] the key to a large slice of the 21 Quebec seats Martin carried in 2004."
• 
  "[Martin] realizes the ethnic vote is a fundamental of Liberal politics and he must cater to it if he wishes to survive as prime minister."
• 
  "Martin must also be careful not to go too far in his love affair with the ethnics. Too much ethnicking can be seen by anglo Canada as offensive and it is anglo Canada that rejected much of the Liberal heritage in election 2004. Ethnicking with the Quebecois in Quebec could mean the difference between minority or a majority government next time around."
• 
  "Still, it's nice to have the ethnics on board the good ship SS Paul Martin. The ethnics make good and loyal ministers."

...

The "ethnics?" Did Larry Zolf actually get paid to write that? Did the CBC then actually post that, for all to see? Playing out "their game?" "Cater" to them? "Too much ethnicking?" "It's nice to have ethnics on board?"

It's possible, of course, that Larry Zolf's intention was to sound accommodating and supportive of "ethnics," as he calls them. It is also possible that he did not intend to sound like a callous, blundering ignoramus. But that latter perspective, unfortunately for Larry, is very much what we're left with.

As a student of Canadian politics, I can attest to the fact that no Canadian political party - including the Liberal Party, now being breathlessly urged by Larry to "cater" to "the ethnics" - any longer regards ethnic communities as unintelligent monoliths, which can be counted upon to unquestioningly do the bidding of backroom party apparatchiks. Even if such a sad state of affairs ever existed, you can be assured it doesn't anymore. Ask any successful politician: in 2004 A.D., every predominant Canadian ethnic group has done what one would expect (and hope) to happen in the new millennium - they vote for Liberals, Conservatives and New Democrats like everyone else does. That is, according to the issues, and leadership, and so on.

Not, to put a fine point on it, because one of the CBC's, or Larry Zolf's, imagined ethnic overlords has decreed how they should vote. (And, yes, Virginia, your tax dollars do indeed directly or indirectly pay for such drivel. Sorry about that.)

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Original URL at http://www.warrenkinsella.com/musings_july04.htm

From Kinsella's blog, July 26, 2004

July 26, 2004 - I plan to use this to get a better birthday present out of my wife. I rather suspect it won't work, but what the heck.

July 26, 2004 - My wife and I never, ever (ever) shop at Wal-Mart, but always at Costco. Here is the principal reason why.

July 26, 2004 - Yes, yes, Jimmy, but will you pay your bills? Will Fly-by-Night Flaherty finally pay up?

July 26, 2004 - My, my, isn't this interesting: the party of fiscal probity and prudence, forced to respond to deadbeat allegations. Goodness gracious.

You know, something tells me I'm going to have a lot more to say about this subject, real soon.

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Origina URL at http://www.warrenkinsella.com/musings_july04.htm

From Kinsella's blog, July 20, 2004

July 20, 2004 - Hoo boy! Take a look at this, folks! Can you imagine what the philistines would say if the House was sitting? Wow! Let me know if any of you get the job, okay? In the meantime, I need a drink:

...

Canadian Wine Coordinator

Location: Ottawa, ON Salary: $61,312 to
$66,287 (AS-05). Closing Date: July 21, 2004 Useful
Information Reference Number: EXT86726JCNF90
Position for a
specified
period of three (3) to six (6) months.
The position is
located
within the
following governmental organization: Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Who Can Apply
Useful
Information Persons residing or employed in regions within Ontario or
Quebec, who have a home or business postal code beginning with: G0A, G0L to
G0Z,
G1 to G3, G4A, G5A, G5R, G5T, G5V, G5X to G5Z, G6 to G9, H, J0A to
J0L,
J0N to
J0Z, J1 to J9, K, L, M, N0A to N0C, N0E, N0G, N0H, N0J to
N0M, N1 to
N6, N7A,
N7G, P0A to P0C, P0E, P0G, P0H, P0J, P0K, P0M, P0N,
P0P, P0R, P1 to
P4, P5A and
P5E.

Citizenship
Useful
Information Preference will be given to Canadian citizens. Please
indicate
in your application the reason for which you are entitled to
work
in Canada:
Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or work
permit.

Language
Useful
Information Bilingual imperative
English
French
Reading
Writing
Oral Interaction
Reading
Writing
Oral Interaction
B
B
B
B
B
B

Education
Useful
Information Graduation with a degree from a recognized university and
formal
training in oenology with an internationally qualification from
an
oenology
institution.

Experience
Experience in promoting and conveying Canadian wine knowledge to senior
management in the Federal Public Service or dignitaries.

Experience in designing and delivering wine education training
modules and conducting tutored tastings.

Experience in working with the Canadian wine industry and major
industry associations to support the industry in the promotion of Canadian
wines
abroad.

Experience in building awareness of Canadian wines.

Additional Requirements / Comments
Condition of employment:

Security clearance: Secret - this factor is not used at the
preselection stage. The department is responsible for the security clearance
process.

Candidates from outside the federal Public Service may be
required to pay for their own travel and relocation expenses.

Quote the reference number and clearly indicate your
CITIZENSHIP.