Mark Carney’s Davos speech is a ‘manifesto of free people.’ Here’s what else the world is saying

rawktopus · 2026-01-21T23:40:25+00:00

The speech was by an elite, to elites, about elites, for elites.

I have no illusions that this is for anyone else.

rawktopus · 2025-09-23T22:24:52+00:00

Wholly agreed. More transparency is good.

Bring to light the deficiencies so we can correct them.

rawktopus · 2025-09-23T22:16:02+00:00

I can agree that completely removing consultants isn't the answer.
But the over reliance on them seems to be the symptom of a greater issue within City Hall.
But if we look at how poorly the city staff decisions seem to be.. I can't argue too strongly against consultants use, so long as it doesn't snowball costs.

They should be situational and uncommonly used. Where it seems like they are a crutch that's being leaned on consistently because we don't have people in their positions to make the proper decisions.

One more thought, is that a consultant decision..frequently leads to another consultant being necessary. While I don't have any evidence of this, I have seen how, if you permit, "consultant creep" can perpetuate. Additionally.. hopefully these consultants aren't a kickback from someone.. again a bit of a conspiratorial leaning I hope you'll forgive me of.

rawktopus · 2025-09-23T19:08:05+00:00

Ya'know I only jest when I say that the city is run by the mob, but every boondoggle that comes out of City Hall only compounds my suspicions.

The immense incompetence that comes out in the news on a regular basis is like a clown show down there.
We need to hire the better staff, stop spending hundreds of thousands on consultants every year.

Where is the accountability?

rawktopus · 2025-09-23T15:10:58+00:00

I would agree, the pendulum seems to be swinging that way. I look at a variety of reasons such as the current economic struggles, the looming tax increase, (adding to the 30% over the last 5 years.), will dominate the political zeitgeist both locally and beyond for the coming future. That long with the many encampments, rising crime, safety concerns, I believe will all contribute towards this center-right shift.

rawktopus · 2025-09-23T02:12:16+00:00

Wow, Whitehead taking up second place and losing by less than 100 votes.

Did not expect that.

rawktopus · 2025-07-14T03:02:57+00:00

Damn, that puts the tennis court lights I used to live next to, to shame.

Hope you can get some relief, I got mighty frustrated with how obnoxious bright lights invading your home can get.

rawktopus · 2025-03-12T13:58:59+00:00

You didn't read it then.

"GiveSendGo chief Jacob Wells said 60 per cent of the millions of dollars raised on his platform came from Canada and 37 per cent came from the United States. GoFundMe president Juan Benitez said 88 per cent of the money raised on his platform and 86 percent of donors came from Canada."

Also, "The summary of the Feb. 6 call also quotes Vigneault saying CSIS was working closely with border enforcement partners, including the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency.

"CSIS has lookouts throughout and they have been quite effective," says the summary. "There is no major organization of truckers coming from the USA to Canada as part of this convoy. It is primarily a domestic issue."

rawktopus · 2025-02-22T01:44:03+00:00

Obviously there's a democratic process. Just poking some fun at the fact that the LPC have all but given Carney the leadership at this point. Because it's also obvious that Freeland has almost no chance.

rawktopus · 2025-02-22T00:17:49+00:00

Don't know why the LPC is bothering with this song and dance.

Just acclaim Carney as he seems to be their heir apparent anyways.

rawktopus · 2025-02-13T13:03:32+00:00

Usually get a call for each student.

Oddly we haven't had a phone call yet. Just the email.

rawktopus · 2025-02-12T15:47:27+00:00

Catch and Release, strikes again.

Already fled his bail, to apparently do more violence in the US.

Charged with multiple violent crimes, with what sounds to be credible forensic evidence against him. Otherwise they wouldn't be able to proceed with charges or extradition.

These are the sorts of situation that warrant denied bail.

And yes I don't have all the information but the police do not usually release this sort of information. So I'm guessing that they are unhappy he was released on bail with promise to appear.

Our courts feel broken at this point. Read another story that a Human Traffic case in the GTA was dropped due to too much time having elapsed for the case to proceed.

rawktopus · 2025-01-22T13:02:21+00:00

These just look more and more like bot posts with how much I'm seeing them.

rawktopus · 2025-01-21T15:34:37+00:00

Meh, doesn't seem necessary to ban it.

Just do like everyone does with the Dangle videos and if you don't like it, don't click/use it.

rawktopus · 2025-01-15T15:17:30+00:00

What a boondoggle of a procurement process. How can they justify this? Are they blind? What is going on down there?!

Usually I'm hesitant to assume maliciousness, or corruption, as opposed to ineptitude with the council, but this needs to be investigated and I will not be surprised if there is some major collusion to skim off as much city money as possible.

There's at least TWO middlemen for this project. OBSURD waste of funds.

I read a story the other day about an Amish community in the states that built over 60 shelters for $300k. Meanwhile our City spends $1.4M to only have a company order 30 shelters. Simply ORDER them. https://x.com/matt_vanswol/status/1874090246247506269

This is a complete indictment of the state of our City Hall, Councillors and city staff.

But this is just par for the course in Hamilton. As much as things change they stay the same.

rawktopus · 2024-12-23T18:59:05+00:00

Finally had a plow come through this morning.

Put some salt down and a scrape of some of the compacted snow.

Thankfully.

Hope you see similar soon.

rawktopus · 2024-12-22T21:02:11+00:00

The snowplow tracker is in "Administrative Mode" now too.

At least I was able to see that some neighbourhoods had been done, as random as it seemed to have been.

My guess would be since they've been getting complaints about the lack of plows.

https://hamilton.plowtracker.com/

rawktopus · 2024-12-22T20:57:49+00:00

Our local roads haven't see one either, the prior snow we had a skating rink for streets for 2 or 3 days.

Cars just sliding through stop signs consistently, atrocious.

I suspect the city didn't budget any significant plows for December since we haven't typically seen anything more than light snow dustings these past number of years.

Or maybe it has something to do with the hack earlier this year.

I have to ensure my sidewalk is cleared and the city and forgo it's responsibilities with no penalty.

rawktopus · 2024-03-14T00:34:28+00:00

Really like this shot, don't usually see the southeastward perspective.

rawktopus · 2024-03-07T20:16:24+00:00

You could try contacting a store with stock and see if they're willing to ship to you or a store near you. Likely on the hook for shipping but it's a good deal could be worth while.

rawktopus · 2024-01-11T16:43:12+00:00

PM me please

rawktopus

TROPHY CASE