Christine Van Geyn: A solar eclipse is not an emergency and declaring it one is unlawful - "The statutory definition of an “emergency” in the EMCPA is not met by an eclipse. An emergency is “a situation or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise.” An increase in tourism combined with less than three minutes of darkness is not an emergency. If it were, New Year’s Eve, the Toronto International Film Festival, many protests and other large community events would all be emergencies. If this goes unchecked, it is a virtual guarantee that future activists will argue that various social issues also constitute “emergencies” under the EMCPA. We know this because it’s already been done. In fact, Niagara Region is a leader in expanding the scope of what constitutes an emergency. In February 2023, Niagara declared a state of emergency over homelessness, mental health and opioid addiction. In that case, Bradley said this declaration was to send “a signal to the province” that these issues constituted an emergency requiring “additional funding from the province.” While these are serious social issues, they are not emergencies under the EMCPA. Even Bradley seemed to acknowledge this earlier in a memo to regional council in 2021, when he wrote that such a declaration would be “symbolic,” that it does not grant access to provincial funding, and that the EMCPA “was not designed to address social and economic problems of an ongoing systemic nature that cannot be resolved in days, weeks or months.” The same memo also cautioned council that such a declaration may set a “precedent for similar declarations to be made in the future, as well as an expectation that there will be additional resources allocated.” Indeed, this is exactly what happened... Ontario’s EMCPA may be used to do things like impose a curfew or ration goods. Just imagine how these powers could be used if we permitted emergency declarations over social issues. In this case, all the region has done so far is order April 8 closings and cancellations for a variety of public services like child and family centres, public health offices, parenting courses and seniors’ community programs, including programs in communities as far afield as Port Colborne, more than 30 kilometres away from the crowds in Niagara Falls. Even if closing these services was necessary it would not require a declaration of an emergency. Large crowds can be managed by police using existing powers under the Highway Traffic Act, and by activating emergency operations centres (physical locations where the leadership of a municipality can gather to collectively support emergency response) for monitoring, as often happens during large events. None of this requires the declaration of an emergency 11 days before a three-minute eclipse. The good news is that the EMCPA gives Premier Ford the power to rescind this illegal and illogical invocation. And there is precedent for a premier doing just that. In New Brunswick, the town of St. Stephen declared a state of emergency over homelessness, and the province’s safety minister rightly rescinded it, warning the town that a state of emergency should only be used for “imminent threats.”"
Left wingers want to declare everything an emergency (homelessness, gender based violence, climate change etc) so we get more and more emergencies (just like everything is "genocide" - I just learnt that climate change is "genocidal"). Soon a new legal state will be needed, because of the "myth" of the slippery slope
"Keanu Reeves fell down 50 flights of steps... Tom Cruise drove a motorbike off a cliff": Rachel Zegler’s PCA Award Win Makes Zero Sense - "The controversy surrounding the 2024 People’s Choice Award has reached a fever pitch with the inclusion of Rachel Zegler’s name among the award winners. Zegler, who secured the Action Movie Star of the Year award, has found herself at the center of a storm of criticism and disappointment from fans and industry observers alike. Many were quick to express their dismay not only at Zegler’s victory but also at the perceived snubbing of Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves."
Meme - Toad: "PRINCESS PEACH IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE! !"
Mario: "... HOW DO YOU KNOW SHE'S IN A CASTLE AND NOT LIKE. A CAVE OR SOMETHING"
Toad: "BECAUSE WHEN SHE LEFT SHE SAID BowSER WAS GOING TO "DEMOLISH HER TINY PINK CASTLE". I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW SHE HAD A TINY PINK CASTLE! HAVE. YoU SEEN IT? BowSER'S PROBABLY DESTROYING IT RIGHT NOW!!"
Apple Vision Pro headsets are already being returned just 10 days after launch - "Select users across social media have found themselves returning the Apple Vision Pro rather quickly, with complaints about overall comfort. "
Meme - Linas Beliunas @linas.beliunas: "Apple Vision Pro + Microsoft Excel is going to be a game changer. Pivot tables will never be the same."
"#REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF!"
Meme - "IS IT POSSIBLE TO LEARN HOW TO MEME?"
"NOT FROM THE LEFT"
Meme - Mahesh Rao: "Not to cause your cup to run over or anything but a new species of marsupial has been found in Australia."
It was just a reclassification of an existing species into 3 though
Meme - 1994: *Man wearing normal clothes barbequing with sexy lingerie apron*
2024: *Man wearing sexy lingerie barbequing with normal clothes apron*
Meme - "Krasdale EST 1908
premium extra virgin olive blend
95% CANOLA AND 5% EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL"
Meme - "Replied to your story *muscular guy selfie*"
"What are you up to?"
"about to eat, you?"
"Wish your text had no punctuation"
"What?"
"What"
Meme - "Girls on first day of CNY: *cheongsams and cheongsam-like short dresses*
Guys on first day of CNY: *All in red UNIQLO t-shirts*
Meme - *fat woman carrying tray of cookies spills them in shock when she sees her male partner looking at a photo of a topless (?) woman in a bikini bottom*
*sexy woman is upset when she sees her male partner looking at a photo of a woman with a tray of cookies*
Meme - Eowyn: "I'm attracted to older men."
Aragorn: "What a coincidence! I'm attracted to older women."
*Eowyn looks sad*
*Aragorn smirks*
Meme - *Napoleon movie poster*
*Juxtaposition so it looks like Napoleon is riding on a kiddie ride horse*
Meme - "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson keeps saying it's his first time having In-N-Out, but he's posted the same claim three times."
"What if the rock loves hamburgers so much his team has to keep erasing his memory like in Men in Black so he stays in shape"
Meme - *Car*
"ABCDEFG *Honda Logo* IJK"
"ELEMEN OP"
License plate: "QRSTUV"
"WXYZ"
Meme - "Quand il s'apprete à sortir avec ses potes alors tu le branles par surprise pour le faire jouir comme ça il n'aura plus assez d'energie et d'envie pour courir apres une autre meuf"
Warren Buffett Has Spent 70 Years Of His Life Married — His Advice: 'If You Want A Marriage To Last, Look For Someone With Low Expectations' - "Buffett’s philosophy on marriage is encapsulated in his advice shared during the 2015 Most Powerful Women Summit. "If you want a marriage to last, look for someone with low expectations," he said."
Warren Buffett Had An Unconventional First Marriage — He Lived With Another Woman, And The Trio Sent Out Christmas Cards Every Year: 'Susie Put Me Together And Astrid Keeps Me Together' - "While enduring on paper from 1952 until she died in 2004, Buffett’s marriage to Susan Thompson was anything but conventional. Susan’s decision to move to San Francisco to pursue singing marked a pivotal change in their relationship. Despite the physical distance, their bond remained, characterized by extensive phone conversations and an unconventional, understanding of each other’s lives. Before leaving, Susan Buffett reportedly reached out to several women she knew from a cocktail bar where she performed, requesting them to look after her husband. Among these women was Astrid Menks, a waitress. Susan Buffett asked Menks to cook for Warren and assist in his care during her absence. Menks moved in with Buffett, and together with his wife, they formed a unique trio. Susan and Astrid reportedly remained close friends. This was exemplified by their joint Christmas cards signed "Warren, Susie and Astrid.” Buffett captured the essence of his relationships with both women, stating in his biography, “Susie put me together, and Astrid keeps me together.” Susan’s understanding of Buffett’s need for love and absence of criticism played a crucial role in their dynamic."
Meme - *Wheel of Fortune*
"Hobby" "WI_E _ _ _ TING"
Muslim Man: "Wife beating"
"WINE TASTING"
Muslim Man: "Haram"
Meme - Pepe the Frog playing with dolls: "I'm the chad wojak wit the Kool beard, and dis is my big booby tradwaifu and we have seggs"
Meme - "Elrond: Everybody, this little boy is Aragorn. He'll be staying with us in Rivendell for a while
Arwen: *Liv Tyler in Empire Records, striking a coquettish pose*"
Dua Lipa fans notice major mistake the singer makes while 'grilling' shrimp during lavish holiday - " The Levitations hitmaker, 28, looked incredible as she showed off her sensational figure in a strapless red minidress while standing over a grill. With a plate of corn already cooked, Dua was seen holding a pair of kitchen tongs whilst pushing shrimp around the grill. Looking very invested, the New Rules songstress kept her dark tresses out of her face with a patterned headband and accessorised by layering chunky gold necklaces. Fans quickly took to the comment section to claim that the video was ‘staged’ badly for Instagram and that the ‘grill wasn’t even on’."
Ottawa Valley chip-truck man admits to bestiality ring, extortion - "Steve Sernoskie ran a bestiality ring in which he pimped out dogs — mostly St. Bernards — to be raped."
reactions on X - "I’m an empath sometimes I can tell how people are feeling simply by deciding how I think they feel in my own mind and instantly believing it"
The effects of cosmic rays on astronauts: the Light Flash phenomenon - "In 1952 the physicist Cornelius Tobias predicted that cosmic rays could interact with astronaut visual system to generate anomalous perceptions of light (without the effective presence of light) . In 1969, during Apollo 11 mission, Buzz Aldrin reported the first experience of these flashes after their eyes had become adapted to the low light in the cabin. He talked about strange flashed of multiple shapes and dimensions."
Meme - PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals): "This mom and baby need their wings this #SuperBowl and every day-you don't."
"Nearly 1.5 billion wings will be eaten on Super Bowl Sunday."
"We need our wings. You don't."
Orc from LOTR: "What about their legs? They don't need those."
This rapper getting offended because the interviewer called her a musician should show you exactly where rap music is today - "This is rapper Sukihanna, most famous for her song about performing sex acts on black men's behinds, and apparently she doesn't know what the word musician means despite the fact that she, herself, in the modern sense of the word, is a musician... Rap is dead and it has been for quite some time now. Shoot, these people don't even know the difference between musician and magician. Oh, before I go, let's check out Suki's Instagram page: musician"
Grab’s takeover of Trans-Cab is a smart move, but who will pay the price? | The Straits Times - "It is estimated that more than half of private-hire drivers here are casual drivers. Once they collect enough fares to cover their daily rental, they stop “plying” for customers, and start using the car as their own. This is partly why, despite the market having more than three times the number of point-to-point vehicles from 10 years ago, commuters are still finding it difficult to get a ride when they need one... With Singapore’s taxi fleet halved since ride-hailing firms appeared a decade ago, commuters are complaining of sharp fare hikes and increasing difficulty in securing a ride. A poll done in April by The Straits Times corroborated the anecdotal evidence. On average, fares have risen by around 27 per cent, while waiting time has increased by 34 per cent when compared with findings in a similar survey done in 2019. The increase in charges for rides secured with ride-hailing apps (Grab and Gojek) was the sharpest at 43 per cent. With Grab’s takeover of Trans-Cab, commuters have reason to expect more of the same. Business Times reader Ho Swee Huat wrote over the weekend that he feared the move would “confer further monopolistic pricing power on Grab”. “Fares have gone up significantly. In periods of ‘surge’ pricing, it is not uncommon for fares from the Central Business District to Changi Airport to double... to $60,” Mr Ho noted. Others have highlighted the particularly infuriating practice of drivers cancelling on them. Not only do commuters in such a situation have to rebook and wait longer, but they also sometimes face a spike in charges when “surge” pricing suddenly kicks in. Likewise, driver-hirers will have one fewer option in town if and when Grab decides to raise rental rates or introduce new requirements."
A lot of private hire vehicle drivers in Singapore aren't in it to make money from driving, but to get a cheaper car for themselves
So much for ride hailing apps revolutionising the market
'A 33-year-old system has to be tweaked': Analysts on why the COE system needs a review - "As records continue to be broken at each COE bidding exercise, members of the public have questioned if the system is broken. One commenter on a CNA Facebook post said Singapore is being “penalised unnecessarily by a good system gone rogue”. Another said it is not effective because there are still traffic jams and called for it to be abolished. CNA asked analysts if comments that the system is beyond repair are valid, or if the system is working as it should. Private cars being used for business purposes may be causing prices to climb, they said. For example, consumers have to compete with rental companies and buyers who intend to use the cars as private-hire vehicles... transport economist Walter Theseira said that the distribution of COEs across vehicle types and uses is based on Singapore’s vehicle numbers in 1990. It is unclear if the vehicle mix – such as the categories and permitted uses – best suit the country’s economic and social needs more than three decades after the COE system took effect. “The example of PHVs simply shows how changes to business models and technology can result in changing uses of vehicles, which then sits uneasily with a COE system which essentially relies on the implicit assumption that the use of vehicles hasn't changed much since 1990,” he told CNA. Associate Professor Theseira, who teaches economics at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, acknowledged that the categories and growth rates have been tweaked over time. “But this has really not been accompanied by a more fundamental review.” Another flaw in the existing COE system is the “highly uneven supply” per year, which means the cost of new vehicle ownership “swings wildly” over a 10-year period, said Assoc Prof Theseira. Especially during periods of low COE supply and high premiums, there is a sense of a “growing gap” between COE prices and the actual value that a vehicle brings to its owner and the economy, he said. Commenters on social media also point to the unaffordability of cars as a failure of the system. But experts said COE in itself is not meant to take social issues into consideration. “It’s very hard to quantify, then we have to have social service officers interviewing people and recommending whether a family is entitled to this scheme. I think it’s not practical,” said Goldbell's Mr Ng, adding that other options are available, such as private ambulance services for families who have to make regular hospital visits. People with young kids may have to manage with public transport or taxis, he said... Mr Ng, however, said the soaring prices could be seen as a failure of the system because it affects non-car buyers as well. “You need vehicles for the transportation of goods and the COE will have an effect. It affects the consumer, the retailer,” he said. The Category C price for goods vehicles and buses shot up to more than S$90,000 in March this year, and has been hovering above S$80,000 in recent bidding exercises. In January last year, the premium was only around S$40,000."
Meme - "Me telling the cop "Prepare to meet God" as I reach into my pocket to hand him my church's brochure during a routine traffic stop"
Starbucks Launches Pork-Flavored Latte In China - "Starbucks China is giving the olive oil latte a savory run for its money. A few select Starbucks in China are offering a unique ode to Lunar New Year: a limited-edition beverage whose name translates to “Abundant Year Savory Latte” or “Lucky Savory Latte,” a sweet and smoky drink that infuses its coffee with pork flavors. It’s inspired by Dongpo braised pork, a Hangzhou dish served during traditional family gatherings. “Eating meat means prosperity in the coming year,” reads a post by Starbucks Reserve Shanghai Roastery posted Feb. 4 on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The drink features Dongpo pork sauce, espresso, steamed milk and a drizzle of extra pork sauce, and is garnished with a piece of pork. It’s priced at 68 yuan — which is about $9.45 — and is a limited-time drink available exclusively at 25 Starbucks Reserve stores in China."
Meme - Felicia Tan: "Hello, your articles are always worth reading. But we're not friends on Facebook. I sent you a friend request but it didn't go through. add me as friend If you don't mind you can add me Can you add me? We can continue to be good friends."
Christopher Bloor: "Felicia Tan Can I send you my life savings please?"
Felicia Tan: "Christopher Bloor send me friends request"
Bayesian Probability for Babies - "Fans of Chris Ferrie's Rocket Science for Babies, Astrophysics for Babies, and 8 Little Planets will love this introduction to the basic principles of probability for babies and toddlers! Help your future genius become the smartest baby in the room! It only takes a small spark to ignite a child's mind. If you took a bite out of a cookie and that bite has no candy in it, what is the probability that bite came from a candy cookie or a cookie with no candy? You and baby will find out the probability and discover it through different types of distribution. Yet another Baby University board book full of simple explanations of complex ideas written by an expert for your future genius! If you're looking for baby math books, probability for kids, or more Baby University board books to surprise your little one, look no further! Bayesian Probability for Babies offers fun early learning for your little scientist!"
🛒♡ ʝȶ ♥︎🛒 on X - "got my first HOA complaint so instead of just dealing with it and moving on I am reading the entire HOA handbook and snitching on every single one of my neighbors that has shit wrong with their house"
Meme - "Whenever I get a stack of resumes I immediately throw half of them in the garbage. I don't want unlucky people working in our department"
Meme - "Teacher: We finally arrived guys
Girls: Omg Czech Republic is so boring
Boys: *giving money to random girl*"
Meme - "When an indian goes on a walk with his dog *dog with broom and pan*"
Meme - Legolas to Aragorn: "I don't want to accuse anyone if anything. I'm just saying that it looks a bit odd. That the only one in this group that didn't want you to become King gets shot."
Meme - "If this guy gets a suntan he'll have a lot of explaining to do. *shadow of table looking like fishnet stockings, and guy in shorts*"
Meme - "This is like the guy that didn't know ovens mitts were a thing and would go "ohhhh I hate this part" before reaching into the oven and screaming while pulling out the cooking tray."
"r/CasualConversation: I just realized I could let the shower warm up before stepping in
I'm 28. The girl I was wkth wanted to take a shower together. "Why dont you wait for it to warm up?" I stared back at her, a million thoughts running through my head. I feel so stupid, I couldn't enjoy the rest of the night. I has no answer for her, and I always hated showers. Today I stood and waited for the shower to heat up for the first time, and it was great! I dont know. Have you ever done something...this dumb? I'm working on my masters and I feel like such a dumbass"
Rally in East Toronto calls for reversal of plans to move Ontario Science Centre - "A large crowed gathered at East Lynn Park on Sunday, March 3, to oppose plans by the provincial government to move the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) from its current home on Don Mills Road to the Toronto waterfront. The rally was organized by Beaches-East York Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon and featured a large number of speakers from across the city including youngsters who had been directly impacted by being able to go to the OSC in its present location on Don Mills Road just south of Eglinton Avenue... She said if the OSC relocated down to the waterfront on the Ontario Place lands, which is the proposal by the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Doug Ford, the chances for her and her friends to go would be severely impacted. “It would be out of reach for the people of my community,” said Zhu. East Toronto resident Floyd Ruskin, of Save Ontario’s Science Centre and Lost Rivers Toronto, said the support to keep the OSC on the Don Valley ravine where it is currently located is strong among Liberal, NDP and Green Party members of the provincial government... Other speakers at the rally which lasted almost two hours included Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, Toronto-Danforth NDP MPP Peter Tabuns, Don Valley East Liberal MPP Adil Shamji (who has the Ontario Science Centre in his riding), and Scarborough-Guildwood Liberal MPP Andrea Hazell. The OSC was built as a Canada Centennial project by the provincial government and opened in 1969. According to a report by Infrastructure Ontario, it would cost Ontario more money to repair the existing Ontario Science Centre than if a new facility were to be built."
They mock conservatives for being hostile to change, but don't want change themselves. Ironic.
Screw the people who will be nearer to the new location. We must protect the interests of those who benefit from the status quo!
The Democrats’ Last Chance to Save Democracy - The Atlantic
From 2021. Basically whatever hurts the Democratic / left-wing agenda is a "danger" to democracy. Ironically, packing the court as he wants is something you see in illegitimate states. Of course, despite the platitudes about the need to ensure the majority vote is supreme (e.g. abolishing the Electoral College or allocating Senators by population), it's a good bet that he's against referenda
Tokyo Serves up Lactation Bars - "Your eyes have not deceived you! That title does, indeed say what you think it does. Falling straight into the “only in Japan” category, Lactation Bars, which very much sound like something straight out of the latest Mad Max movie, is a new trend gaining popularity in the adult nightlife districts of Tokyo. Yep, whence else would a story like that originate? Apparently, real breast milk is the latest craze coming out of the Mecca of “Omoshiroi”"
Meme - "Average day in the life of a Unitedstatian
>wake up at 10 AM
>turn off the advertisement alarm
>see an 1% offer in uber eats and buy some overpriced burgers to not waste that cupom
>leave house at 11 AM
>get into his car and spend 1 hour on commute to go work 1 Km away from home
>lunch break from 12PM to 2PM
>buy some donuts and get back to work
>spend 30 minutes waiting for the elevator to go to his floor instead of walking 2 floors
>leave work at with another commute this time even longer
>*phone rings* another 1% off cupom got delivered into his uber eats account and he cant waste it and buy more $200 of burgers
>its dinner time, he grabs 2000 cal of frozen food and put into the microwave
>spends 2 hours searching for some "cool new movie" to watch on Netflix, but can't find anything worthy
>remembers he have food on the microwave but it's already cold
>eats it anyway
>open twitch and spend money to some guy pretending to be a girl to tell him "good night"
>eat some snacks until he fells asleep
>dream about food"