tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105114142024-01-31T04:38:20.509-05:00The world focused through a very Canadian lensMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1138670183674250712006-01-30T20:06:00.000-05:002006-01-30T20:18:06.373-05:00

The Conservatives won the 2006 federal election with a campaign motto of "Stand up for Canada." It didn't take long for the Americans to pick a fight with Prime Minister designate Stephen Harper, but thus far the Tory leader is standing his ground, albeit on very thin ice.The USA and several other nations dispute Canada's sovereignty in Arctic waters. The debate resurfaced last week after the

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1137798104524895952006-01-20T18:01:00.000-05:002006-01-20T18:01:44.530-05:00

The sunrise over the North Pole is truly a sight to behold. It speaks directly to the spirit, offering an effervescent promise of hope for a land of frozen despair. It warms even the smallest of snowflakes and seems to feed off the very rebirth it inspires. But this remains a cold, insidious and unforgiving place. Only at the onset of the gloaming do you realise that you should not have strayed

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1137553548137299532006-01-17T21:59:00.000-05:002006-01-17T22:05:48.160-05:00

Riding a wave of anti-Liberal anger, the surging Tories in all likelihood are on their way to forming a majority government on January 23rd. They came racing out of the gate at the sound of the gun, yet most observers expected another photo finish on election day once Harper's campaign started to bleed momentum. The anticipated slowdown never materialised, and in fact the opposite has

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1136866062244843502006-01-09T22:35:00.000-05:002006-01-09T23:08:34.946-05:00

Contrary to a certain rumour making the rounds of the Canadian blogosphere, the not-so-shocking lack of updates here at The Maple Lounge is not because I'm running for the Doughnut party in the riding of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, but rather because I'm putting the finishing touches on my new book.That's right people, the limited edition scratch 'n sniff version of Squeezers, Squeakers, Eggers

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1134607240741885642005-12-14T19:35:00.000-05:002005-12-14T20:19:26.250-05:00

During my absence, The Maple Lounge has quietly become the number one Google hit for the search phrase "Ben Mulroney's massive head of hair". I knew there was a reason why I started this blog. I always knew my life had purpose. I can now die a happy Canuck.

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1131726091344036472005-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:002005-11-11T11:26:08.213-05:00

Every year at exactly this time Canadians pause to remember and honour those who fought and died in the name of all that is good in this world. As the light of a cold November sun highlights the gravestone of the unknown solider inside Canada's new war musuem, please take the time not only to remember but to learn and to teach those younger than yourself. This is the only way that the remembrance

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1131418125506614302005-11-07T22:00:00.000-05:002005-11-07T21:49:32.183-05:00

It's a scene that unfolds every morning in Tim Hortons establishments across the country.You polish off the last of your coffee, prolonging the final gulp by tilting your head back all the way until the "made in China" logo on the bottom of your mug is visible to the guy standing next to your table. The laces of his brown construction boots are so dusty they appear to be made of sand, and the

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1127954911034807132005-09-28T20:36:00.000-04:002005-09-28T20:48:31.043-04:00

The Irish Republican Army appear to have laid down their arms for good. After putting an official stop last July to the violence in their 35-year campaign to overthrow British rule in Northern Ireland, they have disposed of their massive weapons cache in its entirety.The guns and bombs have been rendered permanently inoperable, but that hasn't stopped the British government from trying to sell

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1126579818044843462005-09-12T22:40:00.000-04:002005-09-12T22:55:53.126-04:00

With news that the final report from the Gomery commission will be delayed until February 2006, it appears that Canadians may be spared a dreaded winter election after all. That's not to say that some political parties haven't already shifted their publicity campaign into the next gear. The Conservative Party of Canada are taking their message on the road, however it's the way they're doing it

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1126239236696018662005-09-09T01:00:00.000-04:002005-09-09T00:47:34.570-04:00

Military troops and police are conducting a final peaceful sweep through New Orleans in an attempt to coax the few remaining survivors into abandoning the devastated city. Apparently the fetid flood water, littered with human waste and rotting corpses, just isn't enough to convince some people to get up off the couch.There are a growing number of reports that suggest the final death toll for the

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1126239958110937742005-09-09T00:14:00.000-04:002005-09-09T00:25:58.123-04:00

As previously reported right here at The Maple Lounge, CTV will begin adopting certain broadcasting tactics used by the CBC. While we fully support CTV giving Ben Mulroney and his massive head of hair the silent treatment, their latest reporting techniques leave a little to be desired.Seriously, just making stuff up so you can flash a "breaking news" logo across the screen? I wonder who they

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1124851262040701092005-08-23T22:31:00.000-04:002005-08-23T22:41:02.053-04:00

Like a great white shark to a floundering seal, CTV hopes to bite into the CBC's market share while the latter remains embroiled in a bitter labour dispute. While it should come as no surprise that CTV will attempt to take advantage of the weakened public broadcaster, some of their planned tactics are definitely unorthodox."By making ourselves more like the CBC," proclaimed Bell Globemedia Inc.

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1124251736561433192005-08-16T23:57:00.000-04:002005-08-17T00:20:35.343-04:00

Wars have a funny way of dragging on long after the victory celebration dates penciled in the agendas of military planners. Even the largest superpowers tend to underestimate the tenacity and ferocity with which a people will defend their nation, their identity, and their home.Sometimes a conflict will continue long after it should have ended simply because there is no clear objective. When you

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1123733299933292162005-08-10T23:56:00.000-04:002005-08-11T00:10:45.476-04:00

Despite numerous problems and a few anxious moments, NASA's Return to Flight was a triumph, a mission that saw astronauts and engineers alike take unprecedented measures to avoid a repeat of the Columbia tragedy.The shuttle Discovery is safely on the ground, the mission clock stopped at 13 days, 21 hours, 32 minutes and 48 seconds. The media throng sent to cover the landing has already packed up

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1122441027998607422005-07-27T00:50:00.000-04:002005-09-12T18:30:16.113-04:00

Canadian cows are once again hoofing it across the border and onto the waiting grills of hungry Americans everywhere. A US court of appeal has finally overturned the legal injunction put in place by Montana judge Richard Cebull, effectively clearing the last barricade blocking the reentry of live cattle into American markets.Canadian ranchers, who collectively have lost in excess of $7 billion

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1121833442321150082005-07-20T00:13:00.000-04:002005-07-20T00:24:02.326-04:00

In the wake of the recent bomb attacks in London, many Canadians are beginning to wonder if the great white north could be next. Government officials, claiming that Canada is woefully unprepared to cope with a terrorist attack, have already begun to stoke the smoldering ashes of post-9/11 fear.That Canada is the next target on the terrorist's list should come as no surprise. The UK, Australia and

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1120784840889127072005-07-07T20:55:00.000-04:002005-07-07T21:08:10.993-04:00

My sincerest apologies to my legions of fans. I just started a new job this week, and the previous week involved not one but two trips to Ottawa to visit friends and celebrate Canada day. There were also a few birthday parties mixed in there too, along with a week-long surprise visit from an old friend who moved far, far away a long time ago (same galaxy though, which is always nice ... saves me

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1119559089107665972005-06-23T16:24:00.000-04:002005-06-23T16:38:09.163-04:00

The entire Gurmant Grewal affair has been covered in excruciating, nauseating detail by Canadian bloggers. We here at The Maple Lounge have remained uncharacteristically silent throughout the controversy, simply because we had nothing unique to contribute. All of this changed this morning after we received a small parcel of indeterminate origin, addressed simply to "Maple Lounge Blogger" and

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1118802563307898142005-06-14T22:16:00.000-04:002005-06-14T22:44:56.880-04:00

So what does an exhausted brain think about after hitting the books for eight straight months, more or less on a daily basis? To normal people the answer should seem obvious: anything but books.Of course, there are those in this world who are far from normal. Sequestered deep within the darkest corners of this country, they are those who society shuns. You cross the street when you see them. You

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1117209908010434402005-05-27T11:57:00.000-04:002005-05-27T12:05:08.023-04:00

We regret to inform you that The Maple Lounge will be going on hiatus for a little while, probably somewhere in the vicinity of two more weeks or so. Between job interviews and studying for a huge exam on my way to becoming Dr. Matt, there's simply no time to keep this up. At least not at a respectable level of quality.Don't worry, I haven't been “silenced” by Darth Svend, in fact I ... aaaack ..

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1116481118358638482005-05-19T01:21:00.000-04:002005-05-19T01:38:38.363-04:00

It appears that when Belinda Stronach crossed the floor to join the Liberal party, she brought more than just her support for tomorrow's big confidence vote. The worst fears of Conservatives everywhere have been confirmed: Belinda carries with her the deepest secrets of the Tory inner circle, including the true reason behind Stephen Harper's drive to topple the government immediately. It is now

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1116306626119141472005-05-17T00:50:00.000-04:002005-05-17T01:45:56.516-04:00

A mere two days have passed since Canada's loss at the 2005 World Hockey Championship at the hands of the Czech Republic. Canadians from coast to coast are still licking their wounds, but the federal government has put forward a proposal that aims to restore our shattered pride, and that's something Canucks everywhere can cheer about."It's time to stop licking, and time to start kicking!"

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1115749458539917362005-05-10T14:17:00.000-04:002005-05-10T14:24:18.620-04:00

Ever since Paul Martin went on national television to apologize to the country in a pathetic attempt to salvage his minority government, the Liberals have embarked on an election-style spending spree. With $22 billion dished out in only 18 days, the torrid pace shows no sign of abating.This flurry of announcements has lead to an inevitable and embarrassing gaffe on the part of the Grits. Last

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1115182023482041162005-05-04T00:28:00.000-04:002005-05-04T00:51:15.606-04:00

Recent polls suggest that Canadians are not ready for another election. The prevailing sentiment is that voters would rather Stephen Harper reconsider his decision to topple the Martin government immediately. Undaunted, the Conservative war drums are sounding ever louder and a vote of no confidence seems inevitable.Outside Parliament today, Harper seemed reluctant to reveal the source of his

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10511414.post-1115009940662501182005-05-02T00:52:00.000-04:002005-05-02T01:01:35.256-04:00

The city of Windsor, Nova Scotia, is experimenting with smart cards as a way to curb compulsive gambling. Users of video lottery terminals can now monitor their spending habits and place limits on the amount of money poured into the machines.Part of the province's strategy to address gambling addiction, the voluntary program will become mandatory by the fall. So far VLT users and bar owners alike

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223639900112754839noreply@blogger.com5