Canadian Election Goes To Pot?

We’re having our own election here in Canada on November 27, and our company is even doing some work for one of the parties. Happily, it’s the party that I support. Most interesting about this election is the emergence of the Marijuana Party, who are fielding candidates in 70 of the 301 national ridings (electoral districts). One candidate stated that if Canada decriminalized possession of marijuana, that we would experience a huge influx of American tourists to “buy bud.” The whole thing makes me laugh, though. It’s as if someone had this great idea one weekend, but instead of waking up Monday morning and forgetting about it, they actually organized and followed through. It is funny to read some of the interviews with the candidates, though. One guy says he’ll be campaigning on marijuana, “in more ways than one.”

My favourite quote from the New Yorker article: “[Ev] has a beetling brow and a Tintin coif.” (Note: My own coif has often been compared to Tintin’s.)

Warning: Bad Joke

So let me get this straight. Politicians have been telling us for years that there is too much sex and violence on television, in music, and in video games. Then they nominate two guys for President called Bush and Gore?

Seriously, folks, please choose wisely today. Your vote affects the whole world.

PET, RIP

Although I found out last night, I haven’t yet posted about it. Former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau died yesterday. The greatest politician that Canada has yet produced was 80, but still vibrant and working until his recent illness. I admired his intelligence, his integrity and his honesty. He was one of a kind. More tributes here.

Bad Apple?

I’m always shocked by the fickle nature of the stock market, but I have to say I’m doubly shocked by Apple’s stunning overnight meltdown. I mean, the company is very profitable, just less profitable this quarter than they expected, and the market shaves 50% off the value of the company’s stock? That just seems insane. I hope some smart people call their brokers today and snap up all this cheap Apple stock and send it higher again soon. It seems unfair.