Don't believe everything you read ... or watch ... or hear

Mainstream economists and so-called experts have filled the minds of many Americans with economic myths that are constantly reinforced by the media and repeated on the streets. These myths are erroneous at best - sometimes based on half-truths - but, the majority of them are just false.

We read and hear them every day: "inflation" is caused by rising oil prices; consumption is the most important element for economic growth; low interest rates are helpful to the economy; government expenditures help "stimulate" the economy; there is an energy "crisis," and many others.

This article examines some of the most common myths and offers an alternate explanation of the reality behind them.

When Jeremy comes marching home again, Hurrah!

With less than a week before U.S. Iraq war resister Jeremy Hinzman and his family are to be deported, the Liberals have reaffirmed their support for his fight to stay in Canada.

The 29-year-old Hinzman, his wife, Nga Nguyen, and their children — six-year-old Liam and six-week-old Meghan — have been ordered to leave Canada by Sept. 23 or face deportation.

Fresh off the campaign trail, Liberal Bob Rae spoke at a Toronto news conference with Hinzman. Rae urged the government to support a motion passed earlier this year by all parties, except the Conservatives, to let conscientious objectors take up permanent residence.

To CERN with Love

You may have heard bits and pieces about the Large Haddron Collider in Europe. It was fired up recently and some people were afraid it would create a black hole that would engulf the planet. It didn't but we did get this lovely video of what they are trying to do.

Murderer for hire

Not sure what kind of meat they serve at this restaurant, but they sure are specific about the type of employees they are looking for.

I hope it's not a real-life scene from "Delicatessen 2"

N&L Premier urges: Vote Anything But Conservative

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams made his "ABC," or Anything But Conservative, campaign official on Tuesday by registering his crusade against Stephen Harper's Conservatives with Elections Canada and obtaining "third party" status.

It's just the latest move by Williams, a Progressive Conservative, to ramp up his fight to prevent the re-election of Stephen Harper in the Oct. 14 federal election.

Williams has waged a war of words with Harper ever since the leader reneged on a 2006 election promise to exclude non-renewable energy sources from the equalization formula.

> Anything But Conservative website <

One World, One Dream

From September 6th to September 17th, Beijing is once again hosting athletes from around the world.

Over 4,200 athletes - from six different disability groups - from 148 countries are taking part in the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games.

Not only are the sports divided into events, but the events are divided into different disability categories, to even out the playing field as much as possible.

The slogan for this years Paralympic Games is the same as the one for the Olympics held just last month: "One World, One Dream".

Follow the link to see other remarkable photos from the games.

A virtual lawyer for small business owners

An online legal service is targeting small business owners who are flustered with filing paperwork but are reluctant to shell out the big bucks for legal help.
Corporation Centre offers a host of services for small businesses in all provinces. Their business model is to try to undercut regular law firms for incorporating businesses, getting GST and provincial tax numbers, applying for trademarks, doing corporate filings and preparing documents to issue shares. The growth of services like this might be useful to small business owners without stockpiles of cash for legal help.
[ NOTE : I don't endorse this agency, I just think it is a great idea. Let me know if it works for you. D ]

... whereas these drawings only look 3D

Julian Beever has made pavement drawings for over ten years and worked all over the world.

His pavement drawings include both renderings of old masters plus a wealth of original inventive pieces of work.

But they certainly do belie the fact that they have been created on a two-dimensional surface.

Art imitates Life

Get ready for a spate of 3D animated movies to hit the big screen over the next few months. This year, the biggest animation studios in the world — including Dreamworks, Disney and Pixar — have all vowed to release their pictures in stereoscopic vision (which, come to think of it, isn’t too difficult given the fact that they’re already rendered in 3D).

Who do you really agree with? McCain or Obama?

This is a fun but challenging little test, that will help reveal what you really think about the issues in the American election. Take your time and read the choices carefully.