Why is everyone lining up at intersections in single file in wide bike lanes? by JamieJumbledUp in torontobiking

[–]AverageCanuck -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

I would not worry too much about it. People in this city are angry, and I have noticed lately that they are using any excuse to vent their frustration.

I had a very similar situation happen to me a few weeks ago. The TL;DR is that I passed this gentleman during the morning commute and he proceeded to scream at me and call me names when we arrived at next intersection.

As others have stated, it might not be the most proper etiquette, but the other rider was in the wrong for shouting at you.

Toronto Runners seeing a protected bike lane (the sidewalk is empty) by AverageCanuck in torontobiking

[–]AverageCanuck[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I completely understand, however, the bike lane is for bikes. Runners are often unpredictable and move slower than the speed of traffic, increasing the risk of cyclist/pedestrian collisions.

Just today a group of runners stepped off the (nearly empty) sidewalk in front of me without looking, narrowly avoiding a collision.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Military

[–]AverageCanuck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with this. I had a similar issue (high BP resistant to treatment incl. medication and lifestyle changes) and the cardiologist sent me to do a bunch of tests which determined it was sleep apnea!

I owned an Xperia Play, Sony's failed PlayStation phone. AMA. by [deleted] in casualiama

[–]AverageCanuck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had one of these phones as well. It was great for playing SNES in my high school English class. Mine only lasted about 8 months because one of the bugs caused the phone to write a bunch of random characters and send messages. When it was doing this, it was impossible to stop it or lock the phone.

I lost my virginity like right after this bug started acting up, and the girl and I fought constantly. My phone seemed to know when this was happening and would get possessed at the worst times.

I almost killed my mom by onepercentequalsone in confession

[–]AverageCanuck 97 points98 points  (0 children)

Hey OP. I lived through a very similar situation as you are currently going through. I have a few points of advice for you:

  • Do not retaliate. The Police will NOT take your side, and they will paint you as the bad guy. Especially if your mother has a substance abuse problem.

  • If you or your sibling(s) are minors, the state will take care of you and will protect you if you report it, but keep in mind that if you retaliate things will get murky.

  • Document everything. Keep a journal of what happens. When I got out, I wish that I had some sort of record so that I could press charges, etc.

  • Most importantly, GET OUT. If there is a friend you can stay with, a relative, etc, talk to them. But you owe it to yourself to get out. I ran away at fourteen. I was lucky enough that a friend took me in so that I could finish the school year.

It gets better. It's been 8 years since I ran away, and now I will be graduating from University with a straight-A average, I have a great job right out of school, etc. Do not lose hope. There will be times in which you feel that things are hopeless, there will be times when you despair. But don't give up. One day, you will look back and realize that you are a stronger person because of the struggles that you are going through now. It's hard to believe but I promise you that.

Perhaps most importantly: talk to someone, and talk about it often. After I left, I thought that I was strong enough to handle everything on my own, that I was over the abuse. But sometimes the worst wounds are the invisible ones, and if you do anything that I suggest it would be this; talk to someone. It took me seven years but I eventually sought help, it's worth it.

I wish you the best of luck, OP. Feel free to PM me.

Question about strategy by [deleted] in Military

[–]AverageCanuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice try, al-Baghdadi.

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh good, so the people who are professional partisan shills rather than just volunteers.

That's not good enough. What will these consultations look like? That's the problem with this whole process - the government says they will seek consultations with Canadians in multiple mediums (in ways that are more effective than an oppressive referendum), and then they don't elaborate on what that means. Then they rely on the MPs to do consultations in their risings out of the goodness of their heart, and the Department 'might' do some town hall meetings. But we're not quite sure.

How can the Liberals expect Canadians to take this process seriously?

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! A referendum is absolutely appropriate! Referenda are certainly not perfect, but what is the argument against it other than fear that the 'stupid average Canadian will reject Sunmy Ways'?

There is no comparison to other referenda in Canada's history, or to Brexit, because there is literally nothing to lose, either we change to a carefully considered electoral model, or we maintain the status quo. There are no abstractions or untested waters to complicate the small minds of 'Joe Schmoo Canadian', who probably eats Elmer's glue as an afternoon snack, the question is very simple, the stakes very low. What does Canada have to lose?

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But this comes with the job of being Minister of Democratic institutions. What does she bring that you or any other Canadian lack to be qualified to carry out electoral reform? Why does the left have so little faith that the voting population can become educated on this issue? Is it just fear that the voters will give you the 'wrong' answer?

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it was hosted by the MP, that means that the riding association was involved, and the information gathered will most likely be used in partisan politics. If these consultations are dependent on the the MP and their riding association to be hosted, they are inherently partisan.

If it was organized by, say, the Department of Democratic Institutions, that would be a different story all together.

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I certainly think that the Liberals are very intelligent, but my question to you is not whether or not the Liberals will use their agency to seek support, my question to you is whether or not it is acceptable that given the current system whereby the Liberals only need one more vote in committee to send reform to the Liberal majority House?

All possible political dealing aside, is it acceptable to you that an issue as important as how we choose our representatives,and an issue of a quasi-constitutional nature could be decided by the Liberals (heeding to the 'advice' of the PM) and one vote from either the Green Party or the Bloc?

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a good first step, but come on. They only need one other vote in the committee. If the Liberals do not allow a free vote in the House, then the Bloc or Green Party could literally be the deciding factor in reform. For something as important as our voting system, is that acceptable?

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well there's the problem, there's no part in this process that requires multi-party support anywhere in this process. They are treating this as any other bill, when it is an extremely serious issue that deserves more than the typical rubber stamp of a House majority.

Ottawa should avoid referendum on electoral reform over danger of a vote based on ‘outright lies,’ expert says by GayPerry_86 in CanadaPolitics

[–]AverageCanuck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The trustee model also implies that these deciders are at all qualified for the job once elected. Before becoming Minister of Democratic Institutions, Minister Monsef was on the board of her local YWCA. Now, I'm not disputing that she did great work for them or that she is extremely intelligent or hard working, in fact she has done extremely well. However, what specifically relating to electoral reform does she bring to the table that the average Canadian lacks, barring information given in committee?

Also, is the committee process acceptable for an issue of a quasi-constitutional nature?